The trial has begun in Baghdad of Iraqi journalist Muntazer al-Zaidi. The trial was adjourned almost immediately after the opening arguments, to give defence lawyers more time.
Al-Zaidi is the man who hurled his shoes at former US president George Bush last December. Since then, he's been in detention. So he may not realise that he has set an international trend.
"Thanks be to God, Muntazer's act fills Iraqi hearts with pride," his brother, Udai al-Zaidi, told Reuters Television. Millions of Arabs appear to share his interpretation of the shoe-thrower's action. So it's unlikely that the court will be very harsh on the amateur reporter turned folk hero.
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One more time: the famous shoe-throwing incident in Iraq |
The phenomenon reached its peak, at least for now, in the context of the Israeli attacks on Gaza in January. As a result, shoe-throwing became more closely associated with Arab anger in particular.
Worldwide borrowing
That does not mean others have not 'borrowed' this Arab invention.
In France, hundreds of researchers threw shoes earlier this month to protest against the controversial plans of Higher Education minister Valérie Pécresse. The researchers were smart enough to bring an extra pair of shoes, so they didn't have to go home barefoot through the wintry streets of Paris.
The latest high-profile victim was the Chinese prime-minister, Wen Jiabao. When he visited Cambridge University in Britain, a student threw his shoes at him. But unlike George Bush, the premier was spared the humiliation of having to duck as the student's aim was very poor.
Intimate ritual
It's worth mentioning that both shoe-throwers underlined their action by shouting words suggesting physical intimacy. Al-Zaidi said he wanted to give George Bush "a goodbye kiss." The protester in Cambridge said he was angry that his university had "prostituted itself" by inviting Wen Jiabao.
The well-known Egyptian writer and commentator Fahmi Howeidi used post-colonial overtones when he commented on the attempt by an Islamist MP to throw his shoe at Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, for failing to protect the Hamas movement against Israel.
"Irfaa Hizauk ya akhi", "Raise your shoe my Brother" was the title of Howeidi's comment, echoing the famous post-colonial slogan from the Nasser era in the 1950s, "Raise your head my brother."
Howeidi also noted that shoe-throwing may well be the only real international trend set by Arabs.
Shoes of mass destruction
Meanwhile, al-Zaidi's actual shoes have taken on a life of their own. A wealthy Dubai businessman has reportedly offered al-Zaidi's family a million dollars for them.
However, too many people considered the shoes part of the national heritage for the deal to go through. "Shoes of mass destruction" and "a revolution in shoes" are some of the terms that have been used about them, both seriously and cynically.
Piles of shoes left by protesters in front of 10 Downing Street, the White House and Israeli embassies around the world have been widely perceived in Arab countries as a way of retrieving their national pride and dignity at a time of military defeats and general helplessness.
Dissenting voice
Only the Iraqi Journalists' Union has dared to express dismay at al-Zaidi's action, terming it "far from professional." Nevertheless, the union has called on prime-minister Nuri al-Maliki to release al-Zaidi for humanitarian reasons.
Tags: Fahmi Howeidi, George Bush, Iraq, Muntazer al-Zaidi, Nuri al-Maliki, shoe-throwing, Valérie Pécresse, Wen Jiabao
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External Links:
- dvice.com: Top 10 Bush shoe-throwing games on the Web
- Bad News from the Netherlands: Hundreds Throw Shoes at Prime Minister’s Picture
- CNN: Iranians toss shoes at Bush posters
- Daily Telegraph: Thousands throw shoes at Downing Street in protest against Israeli action in Gaza
- AFP: Online Bush shoe-throwing game copied by Bosnians