Whats in a shoe?

At a press conference during President George Bushs fourth and final visit to Iraq, Iraqi journalist Muntader al-Zaidi threw a pair of shoes at the American leader, who was not injured. The journalist cried, This is a goodbye kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog!

Some news publications have suggested that the act was highly symbolic, particularly given that in 2003 Iraqis pelted pictures and statues of toppled leader Saddam Hussein with shoes.
Arab culture perceives the display of shoe soles as rude, as they are considered lowly and dirty.

Worldfocus producer Mohammad al-Kassim, a Palestinian-American, discusses the cultural significance of throwing a shoe.

To read blogger discussion about the event, visit http://worldfocus.org/blog/2008/12/15/whats-in-a-shoe/3234/

Worldfocus video podcast: http://feeds.feedburner.com/worldfocus

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Arab culture
• Culture
• George W. Bush
• Iraq
• Iraq War
• protests
• Saddam Hussein
• shoes
• United States
• news
• Worldfocus
• shoe
• World
• Focus