A hero not just in the Middle East, but anywhere where those brave enough to challenge authority regardless of the consequences are appreciated.

Muntadhar was an Iraqi journalist who witnessed first hand the destruction of his country and its people at the hands of the US war machine.

By living, his life was already endangered in Iraq. As a journalist, his life was even more at risk. He had been kidnapped by assailants in 2007, and arrested twice by the US armed forces for doing his job.

But he is best known for his revolutionary act on December 14th 2008, when he threw both of his shoes at then U.S. President Bush during a Baghdad press conference. He shouted "This is a farewell kiss from the Iraqi people, you dog” speaking for the almost half a million Iraqis killed and millions traumatized by the U.S. invasion. He was sentenced to three years in jail afterwards, where he was abused. Upon his release, he committed himself to "build orphanages, a children's hospital, and medical and orthopaedic centres offering free treatment and manned by Iraqi doctors and medical staff."

Three administrations since then, the U.S. is still engaging in their long term passion for ethnic cleansing and destruction of Muslim countries. It only makes the bravery of heroes like Muntadhar shine brighter.

Muntadhar al-Zaidi