Iraqi shoe-thrower to get hero’s welcome?

15/09/2009 / IRAQ

Iraqi shoe-thrower to get hero’s welcome?

Published on al-Zaidi's Facebook fan page.

Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi, who shot to fame last December when he threw his shoes at then President George W. Bush, was released from prison on Tuesday. But is he still hailed a hero for his crime? Not all of our Iraqi Observers are convinced.

It was during a press conference in Baghdad that al-Zaidi took off his size tens and hurled them at Bush, catapulting him to worldwide recognition... and also into a three-year jail sentence for "attacking a head of state on an official visit". His sentence was later reduced to one year on appeal, and then nine months for good behaviour.

The celebrated hero is set to be showered with gifts on his release from Muthanna military base in West Baghdad. The Emir of Qatar plans to hand over a horse made of gold, Libyan colonel Muammar Gaddafi wants to present him with a bravery honour, and Bahraini businessman Quresh Khan Buneeri would like to send him a limousine. As for his former employer, TV channel al-Baghdadia, they'll be handing over the keys to a new apartment, so Al-Zaidi can say goodbye to his one-bedroom flat in bustling Rachid, downtown Baghdad.

Contributors

Mohammed

Ahmet Hasim

Ali Al-Mousawi

“I respect him for his bravery but not his actions”

Mohammed is a dentist in Baghdad who writes the blog Last of Iraqis.

The Iraqi population is split in two over Muntazer al-Zaidi. Some see him as a hothead, others as a hero - a symbol of resistance against the US. Personally, I don't think throwing your shoes at Bush is the best way to express your anger. He behaved wrongly. I respect him for his bravery and his strong beliefs, but I don't approve of his actions."

"Iraq must reveal its shoes of mass destruction”. Published on jffra.com.

Mohammed

Iraq
Dentist

“Dozens, hundreds, of children born in the wake of the event were named Muntazer”

Ahmet Hasim is a journalist from Kirkuk, the capital of the Turkmen region in northern Iraq.

For us Turkmen, Muntazer al-Zaidi's act was a happy occasion. We're very patriotic and saw it as something heroic. We consider him a model for young Iraqis. Dozens, hundreds, of children born in the wake of the event were named Muntazer; one of my friends didn't think twice about doing it. It's quite significant, if you know what importance we give to the naming of our eldest child. A number of young people from the region want to go to Baghdad to welcome him out of prison, but they're worried about insecurities in the capital."

"He did what kings didn't dare to." Published on al-Zaidi's Facebook fan page.

Ahmet Hasim

Iraq
journalist

“A guest should never be humiliated”

Ali al-Mousawi is a student in Baghdad.

Al-Zaidi's act was seen differently depending on age. For young Iraqis, he's an Arab hero to be worshipped forever more. But for older Iraqis, and the majority of intellectuals, al-Zaidi showed a lack of professionalism and moreover, a lack of hospitality, something that we are very attached to in Iraq. A guest should never be humiliated.

But it has to be said that al-Zaidi is largely popular in Iraq and beyond. A Palestinian shopkeeper from [West Bank city] Nablus said he was ready to offer his daughter's hand in marriage. And others, from Egypt to Jordan, have done the same. However, it's said that once he's released, he'll be taking a plane straight to Greece due to worries over his safety."

Ali Al-Mousawi

Iraq
student

The fateful moment

Comments

It takes more than this to be a Hero!

Submitted by King Azingah (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 14:48.

If throwing shoes make people Heroes, then what will they be if the throw their pants? What are we telling the world? It takes more than this to be a true Hero and this is simply ridicules in the history of Heroes.
I agree that cultures are different and but human right and human life should be equal all over the world. This missing in Iraq since years and never got better even till today! This sector should receive our priority and needy ones should be help, that celebrating the baseless and fruitless action of Al-Zaidi. This can’t be called bravery but rather luck of responsibility against Iraqis culture. It takes more than this to be a Hero and it will take more than this to save Iraqis. Most people in this world were against war in Iraq and we all share sympathy but not for single actions.

Unregistered user

It takes guts to be a hero

Submitted by Chris Kurangana (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 19:39.

to be a hero takes nothing but your guts. His heroesm is not the shoe throwing "deed" but his guts to remove the shoes and propel them at one of the most respected and feared man in the world. Personaly I salute him for the message he delivered to Bush after smashing him with with the shoe.

Unregistered user

Hero

Submitted by Tanie bilety lotnicze (not verified) on Thu, 17/09/2009 - 14:25.

I think your definition of hero misses the mark. His deed has nothing to do with bravey but is rather a show of rage and nothing else. His actions just do him harm for his country in the eye of the whole western world.

Unregistered user

Why would anyone throw a shoe at the president of the U.S.?

Submitted by Unregistered user (not verified) on Tue, 15/09/2009 - 17:50.

If the message the shoe man was trying to send was that "Arabs are psychotic" then he succeeded. Not because Americans think he represents all Arabs but rather because the Arab worlds reaction to the event has solidified that his sentiment is representative of the Arab world. What kind of sane individual does that? It shows that he is completely incompetent in communicating effectively to other people, and the fact that this incomprehensible idiot is even being suggested as a hero is ridiculous beyond measure. Would any U.S. reporter even think of doing the same to an Arab leader? Never. The Arab world is clearly hypocritical, they do not treat others how they would want us to treat them.

Unregistered user