Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teenager arrested after a homemade clock he brought to school was mistaken for a bomb, capped a whirlwind month with a visit to the White House on Monday.
Ahmed got a personal invitation from President Barack Obama for “Astronomy Night.” The president uses the event to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Ahmed said he’s OK with the nicknames that so many have given him over the past few weeks — “clock kid” or “clock maker.”
Last month, Ahmed brought the clock to his school to show a teacher, but another teacher thought it could be a bomb. The school contacted police, who ultimately chose not to charge Ahmed with having a hoax bomb, though he was suspended from school for three days.
Obama subsequently tweeted an invitation to Ahmed and said the U.S. should inspire more kids like him to enjoy science.
The White House invitation has brought some backlash. Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz complained that Obama didn’t give law enforcement officials the same respect he’s giving Ahmed. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Monday the president has made clear in many settings the respect he has for law enforcement officers.
Ahmed said he has visited Google and Facebook, along with other companies and institutions in recent weeks. He also traveled to Sudan where he met with President Omar al-Bashir, which has prompted some criticism because al-Bashir is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide and war crimes for atrocities linked to fighting in Darfur province. Advisers deflected a question on that topic and instructed Ahmed to not answer. Ahmed’s family are Sudanese immigrants and his father is a former presidential candidate.
The Associated Press contributed to this article
the CLOCK BOY pulled off a good one. muslims get away with murder while CHRISTIANS pay a price. Coming to the nearest latrines, will be, FOOT WASHING STATIONS for muslims. BACON and PORK, HOGS FEET and JOWLS are cheap and could accidentally end up at Wal-Mart, Targets,etc, by ACCIDENT. YES, DOROTHY, there is a KANSAS! Our TAX dollars are getting FOOT WASHING STATIONS put into public places. SOON!
I’d say Obama should be careful, but I doubt the kid would kill a fellow Muslim.
President Obama wants to control all guns because a few are used to commit mass murder on school campuses. Yet, a boy carries something that looks like a bomb to school and President Obama invites him to the White House. We could call this a meeting of two people who display poor judgment. The boy should have known better than carry something which could be mistaken for a bomb to school. President Obama should have known better than to elevate this guy to hero status.
President Obama, bombs can kill more people at one time than guns can. The Constitution protects our right to bear arms, but it doesn’t protect our right to make bombs.
The kid didn’t BUILD a clock, he took one apart, my two year old nephew can do that too. And I’m surprised Obama didn’t say, YOU DIDN’T BUILD THAT. After all, isn’t that what he told the rest of us not too long ago??? I guess that only applies if you’re white.