Muntazer al-Zaidi, better known as the Iraqi shoe-thrower who hurled his size 10s at George W Bush, is set for a hero’s welcome when he is released from jail on Monday.
The man who became a symbol of Iraqi resistance to US intervention can also expect to be showered with gifts. Would-be benefactors have so far offered him a new four-bedroom house, a new car and a bride who comes with a gold dowry.
Zaidi became a hero across the Arab world for his actions during the former US president’s farewell visit to Iraq last December. Images of Bush ducking to avoid the projectile were made into T-shirts, stencilled on walls and even appeared in internet games.
Salah al-Janabi, a Baghdad salesman, called Zaidi “a David and Goliath figure”, adding: “when the history books are written, they will look back on this episode with great acclaim. Al-Zaidi’s shoes were his slingshot”.
The four-bedroom house has been built by Zaidi’s former employer, the al-Baghdadia television channel. During his nine-month stint in jail, other offers have poured into the TV station for the shoe-thrower, including pledges of money, healthcare and harems.
“One Iraqi who lived in Morocco called to offer to send his daughter to be Muntazer’s wife,” said al-Baghdadia editor Abdul Hamid al-Saij. “Another called from Saudi Arabia offering $10m for his shoes… >>>
