`Shoe-thrower` footwear popular in Bangladesh

Dhaka: A black and brown leather lace-up shoe named after the Iraqi journalist who threw his footwear at former US President George W Bush has become a top seller in northeastern Bangladesh. Shoe sellers in the city of Sylhet had named the "Zaidi shoe" in a bid to cash in on the popularity of reporter Muntazer al-Zaidi, who became a folk hero in Bangladesh after hurling his shoes at Bush during a press conference in Baghdad last December. "It`s the latest fad in Sylhet. Every one wants to be wearing the Zaidi," shop owner Abdul Awal said. "It looks like your average men`s dress shoe but it`s been sold for up to 2,200 taka (30 dollars) which is at the very top end of the market in Bangladesh," Awal said. Sales have shot up in the run in to Eid al-Fitr next week, which marks the end of the Muslim holy month Ramadan, when Bangladeshis traditionally shop for new clothing. "Younger men, especially, are buying the shoes as a mark of their respect to Zaidi," said Faruq Mahmud Chowdhury, a top businessman in Sylhet. Zaidi, 30, was initially sentenced to three years in jail for assaulting a foreign head of state, but had that reduced to one year on appeal. He was released on Tuesday for good behaviour. IANS