Benz from Bahrain to Baghdad for Shoe Hero

Manama,Bahrain-Iraqi authorities have sentenced him for three years, while Bahrain is waiting for his release to gift him a luxurious German car.

Bahraini businessman and social worker, Quresh Khan Buneeri is glued to his TV set watching the proceedings of Iraqi journalist, Muntazaher Al Zaidi.

He wants to gift his hero a 1990 Mercedes Benz when he is released from jail.

" I want to gift him my six door Benz, even if it meant driving all the way from Bahrain to Baghdad. He deserves much more from us," the Bahraini said.

Known as the pride of Iraq, an iconic figure in Arab world who shot to fame after he threw his shoes at former US President George Bush and called him a dog.

Iraqi journalist, Al Zaidi is sentenced for three years by the Central Criminals Court in Iraq for his actions. But in Bahrain like other Gulf countries, people consider him as a hero who should be a free man and not behind bars for his actions.

"He is a common man who had the guts to say what all Muslims feels about the situation in Iraq. Bush has blood on his hands for killing innocent lives and destroying families. The war crimes committed by Al Zaidi is nothing compared with Bush´s legacy," Buneeri said.

Last year, Al Zaidi threw his shoes at former US President George Bush during a press conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. President Bush ducked twice to avoid being hit by the shoes.

" This is a farewell kiss from Iraqi people, you dog," yelled Al Zaidi in Arabic , when he threw his first shoe. "This is for the widows and orphans and all those killed in Iraq," he shouted as he threw his second shoe.

In Islamic culture , throwing of shoes is considered an act of extreme disrespect.

But Buneeri says Bush deserved the treatment for being the mastermind to destroy Iraq.

The defense team of the 30-year-old journalist for the Cairo-based al-Baghdadiya television station say the three year sentence by the Iraqi authorities was- " harsh and would appeal the decision to the appellate court."

The shoe hero has found tremendous supporters in Arab and Gulf States. A man in Saudi Arabia reportedly offered to buy one of the shoes he threw for $10 million. The daughter of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi awarded the journalist a medal of courage. Religious scholars such as Shaikh Suhail Uqabi, a follower of Muqtada Sadr who is against US policies and occupation in Iraq have also condemned the verdict.

Bahrain, a close US ally has witnessed several anti –Bush protests last year by political groups. From withdrawal of troops from Iraq to US Foreign policy in the Middle East were criticized by several hardliner groups here. During US President George.W.Bush trip to Bahrain in January last year as part of his Middle East tour, protesters wore orange jump suits and sat in a ´cage´ calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay and an end to Iraq war crime.

Last year, the Bahraini leadership appointed Salah Al Malki as the Kingdom´s youngest ambassador to Iraq.

Bahrain's foreign policy states full respect for Iraqi unity, independence and its sovereignty. It further denounces all criminal and terrorist acts that target holy places, places of worship, and innocent victims, including Iraqi civilians and diplomats working in Baghdad.

Bahrain is the main financial and banking hub in the region and hosts the US Navy fifth fleet.