WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama on Wednesday invited a Muslim schoolboy to the White House after he was arrested and dragged off in handcuffs for bringing a homemade clock to class.
Obama congratulated 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed on his skills and issued a presidential invitation, in what amounts to a pointed rebuke to school and police officials who precipitated his arrest.
“Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It s what makes America great,” the president tweeted.
Cool clock, Ahmed. Want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to like science. It’s what makes America great.
— President Obama (@POTUS) September 16, 2015
The teen was led out of his Texas school after a teacher mistook his homemade digital clock for a bomb, prompting accusations of Islamophobia and an online backlash. A photo of Ahmed standing in handcuffs while wearing a t-shirt with the US space agency NASA s logo was retweeted thousands of times in a matter of hours and “#IStandWithAhmed” was the top trending hashtag on Twitter. Among those voicing support for the boy was Hillary Clinton, who tweeted: “Assumptions and fear don t keep us safe – they hold us back. Ahmed, stay curious and keep building.”
Assumptions and fear don’t keep us safe—they hold us back. Ahmed, stay curious and keep building. https://t.co/ywrlHUw3g1
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 16, 2015
Assumptions and fear don’t keep us safe—they hold us back. Ahmed, stay curious and keep building. https://t.co/ywrlHUw3g1
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 16, 2015
@cairchicago Amazing show of support! Can we share this photo on our platform? You will always be credited!
— Fresco News License (@frescolicense) September 16, 2015
White kids walk in public with weapons NO ACTION But Brown kids are arrested for making clocks.? #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/vMS7fAtUGt
— Zain Khan (@ZKhanOfficial) September 16, 2015
I made this (Temp logger) and brought it to school. Not arrested. Behold my shiny white privilege! #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/CKaz6MG1Mf
— AshleyB (@AshleyBWho) September 16, 2015
When a 14 year old builds a clock he deserves praise NOT handcuffs http://t.co/Avj5wUkkkI #IStandWithAhmed pic.twitter.com/6DoV5g9SNX
— Ariel Winter (@arielwinter1) September 16, 2015
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