In Iraq, a shoe is not just footwear
Reporters on the Job: If you鈥檙e trying to understand the story of Muntathar Zaidi (you can read it here), it really is all about the shoes. For a lot of Westerners that image of Mr. Zaidi throwing his shoe at President Bush was either horrifying or comical. In Iraqi culture it鈥檚 one of the most insulting things you can do.
鈥淲e have a saying 鈥� shoot me with bullets but don鈥檛 hit me with a shoe,鈥� says one defense lawyer. The distaste of something so unclean being used to strike someone is so ingrained that even Iraqis who agree with Zaidi鈥檚 sentiments say he should be punished for such a rude gesture.
鈥淭his was not good behavior for an Iraqi or a journalist,鈥� says Haider Ahmed, as he slices grilled lamb at his shawarma stand.
Another defense lawyer tried to convince me otherwise. 鈥淭his is completely normal. It鈥檚 what Iraqis do at home when they are angry,鈥� says Ahlam Alami, the only female lawyer on the defense team.
Zaidi鈥檚 own relatives though beg to differ. 鈥淣o, never,鈥� says his sister Zainab, when asked if there were any shoe-throwing at home. 鈥淚f we disagreed with each other we would speak to each other respectfully.鈥�
