Posted on 02/27/2008 7:54:31 AM PST by pissant
ISIOLO, Kenya (Reuters) - Residents of a remote Kenyan town plan to demonstrate on Friday after a photo of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama in Somali dress took centre stage in an increasingly acrimonious race for the White House.
The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Illinois senator donning a traditional white headdress and robes during a 2006 trip to Wajir in northeastern Kenya.
Aides to Obama, whose late father was from Kenya, accused his rival Hillary Clinton's campaign of "the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering" of the election season so far after the picture was published.
Clinton's camp denied officially approving the photo's release. Obama has fought a whispering campaign by fringe elements that say erroneously that he is Muslim.
The controversy made headlines in Kenya, where many people already support the Democratic front-runner in the way the Irish idolised U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s -- as one of their own who succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.
Ahmed Sheikh Bahalow, a retired teacher and elder from ethnically Somali Wajir, said his community was offended by the insinuation Obama had done anything wrong on his visit.
"The Somali community and in particular those living in Kenya have never been that interested in America politics," Bahalow told Reuters in the central town of Isiolo. "But we are following it keenly now because we have been provoked."
Wajir residents planned to demonstrate in the town after Friday prayers to show their support for Obama, he said.
Clinton needs to win next week in Ohio and Texas to keep her campaign alive after Obama's streak of 11 straight victories.
Once the odds-on favourite to win the Democratic nomination to run against a Republican candidate in November's poll, she has lost big leads in public opinion polls in the two states as Obama has gained momentum and made inroads among her supporters.
ROFL
i have a feeling muslims in other countries know something about obama that we dont.
its very jack bauer-ish
Demonstrating after prayers is like a sacrament. I bet the Clinton Camp called them and “double-dog dared” them to do it.
It’s gettin’ ugly out there - hope it keeps going until Dem convention!
>i have a feeling muslims in other countries know something about obama that we dont.<
You’re not the only one.
“i have a feeling muslims in other countries know something about obama that we dont.”
- Somebody somewhere would be after his head for being apostate unless they know they’ll have a friend in the Whitehouse. Obama promises us change, and Michelle says our souls need fixing. Sounds religious to me.
That should be a call to action for all Ohio and Texas Freepers.
I'm voting for her next Tuesday. In Ohio all we need to do is request a rat ballot.
RINO McCain can't even use Obama's middle name, so we can see how much mud he'll throw - NONE.
We need to keep Hillary in it so she can beat up on Obama - the "Republican" candidate sure isn't going to!
“Ahmed Sheikh Bahalow, a retired teacher and elder from ethnically Somali Wajir, said his community was offended by the insinuation Obama had done anything wrong on his visit.”
EXACTLY!!! I am on Obama and the Somali muslims side with this one: What’s wrong with a man named Hussein dressing like other men named Hussein? There’s nothing wrong with a man that was born a Muslim, went to Muslim school, and was raised as a Muslim to dress like one when he visits his Muslim homeland!!!
It was “traditional African” garb, not muzzie, remember? /s
Maybe he can get a job at the Mpls airport.
"The Somali community and in particular those living in Kenya have never been that interested in America politics," Bahalow told Reuters in the central town of Isiolo. "But we are following it keenly now because we have been provoked."
Oh great, thanks Hill. Now the Somalis are going to declare war on us.
/s
An aside, where the heck is her top henchman Harold Ickes hiding. I smell his slimy fingers all over this 'hit'.
(Don Corleone had Luca Brasi, she has Harold Ickes)
Does anyone else get the feeling that we are screwed, glued, and tattooed?
Deniablity.
LOL!!!!
Just like “Ahmed Sheikh Bahalow” is a traditional African name!
ROTFL!!!
Are they protesting the Somali garb or the guy that was wearing it?
Hey that sounds familar. Let's remind everyone of that. Yeah that's a good move.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.