U.S. President George W. Bush’s comments fell on deaf ears in the holy city of Medina, where thousands of worshippers were too busy buying religious souvenirs or paying homage to the tomb of the Prophet Muhammad to pay attention to him.
“I don’t waste my time listening to Bush. I don’t believe a word he speaks. He’s the enemy of all Muslims and Arabs,” said Waleed al-Mus’ab, 27.
“Every time I see him on TV I switch it off or change the channel, because he just talks nonsense,” said the Saudi businessman, attending night prayers in Islam’s second-most sacred city.
Around the holy mosque, with its gigantic halogen lamps and minarets, there was no sign of anyone watching the interviews publicly.
Abu Ahmed, a Koran teacher who gave only his nickname, was rushing to prayers when the interview aired. He said he had more important things to do than watch Bush on TV.
“I’d rather spend some quality time in front of God than to listen to him,” he said. “But one thing’s for sure: I’ll pray for his downfall.”
In Cairo, Mohammed Hashem waited an hour for Bush to appear before storming out in frustration.
If (Americans) think the Arabs who are watching are stupid, this means they are still living in the past. People understand everything very well but, unfortunately, they are helpless,” said Badr, 43.
The interview did not change Badr’s opinion of Bush at all.
“On the contrary, it made me more sure that he is a big liar, he and his administration,” Badr said.
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