Arab culture...and that being shown the sole of a shoe is not an endearing display, but a serious show of contempt.Following the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue on April 9, 2003, countless Iraqi citizens proceeded to hurl shoes at the statue and also used them to repeatedly beat the statue.
Sunday's emotional scene was perpetuated by Muntadar al-Zaidi. He is reported to be a correspondent for Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya Television. Al-Zaidi was immediately wrestled to the ground by security officials, and removed from the scene.
While still at the podium alongside Maliki, Bush was asked about the incident by a nearby reporter."It was one way to gain attention," Bush said. "...It's like driving down the street and have people not gesturing with all five fingers."