Iraqi shoe thrower is Power 100 highest new entry

The Iraqi journalist who hurled a shoe at President Bush has been named as the world’s third most powerful Arab, in the Arabian Business Power 100 list.

The list’s guide to the world’s most influential Arabs places Muntadar Al Zaidi as the highest new entry in this year’s list.Al Zaidi is currently serving a three year jail term in Iraq following the shoe throwing incident last December.

The president himself was unhurt in the incident during which Al Zaidi called him a dog. He said he was acting for "widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq".After his arrest, thousands of people took to the streets of Iraq calling him a hero while some 200 lawyers offered their services to the journalist.

Within days, a computer game based on the incident was released on the internet while in Tikrit a copper statue of the shoe was built complete with a poem of honour. Al Zaidi has the dubious honour of becoming the first ever Power 100 member to receive his accolade from behind bars.

Al Zaidi has “inspired, influenced and angered millions around the world”, the Power 100 list says.

Source : Arabianbusiness.com

Abu Umar : Who's the next 'throwing shoes' target after this? You could be in the Power 100 next list though..