Omar or Osama?
We may get a fresh indication of how tiny the tiny minority of extremists really is from this new poll. The Middle East Broadcasting Centre is holding voting for the “Greatest Arab of All Time,” and surprise of surprises, Osama Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein are in the running.
“An Arabic television channel began accepting nominations last week, after buying the format for the popular programme from the BBC. Thousands have already logged on to the website for the series or sent text messages to vote for their preferred candidate.” This from the Telegraph, with thanks to nicolei.
“Both Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein have already received votes. Other nominations include Saladin, famous for having recaptured Jerusalem from the Crusaders; Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader; King Abdul Aziz al Saud, the creator of modern Saudi Arabia; and Omar Sharif.”
Well, Omar Sharif gets my vote in that crowd. But I suspect that Osama may outpoll him.