Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teen arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school that was mistaken for a bomb, has become a mild celebrity after the tense incident. The 14-year-old whiz kid has turned his troubles into triumph, capping off his visit to the White House by meeting President Barack Obama.
The president has shown his support for Mohamed via a tweet inviting him to the White House last month. Mohamed made good on the invitation and was in Washington for the “Astronomy Night” event, the second of its kind held at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Mohamed was one of 300 students in attedance, all showing off the science wares and ambitions with the president. Obama also called the International Space Station during the event as well.
From The Washington Post:
The 14-year-old Muslim student became suddenly famous last month after he built a clock and brought it to school to show his teachers. School officials, suspecting it was a bomb, turned Ahmed over to the police.
His arrest drew worldwide attention and made him an instant cause célèbre among those who said he was the subject of stereotyping and overly harsh school discipline.
“Cool clock, Ahmed,” President Obama tweeted at the time. “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 and Ahmed did not have a formal meeting at the White House Monday, but they spoke briefly during the Astronomy Night event, according to the Associated Press.
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[AP]
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Photo: AP Video
