Play Sock and Awe in tribute to the Iraqi shoe thrower

Muntadhar al-Zeidi, the Iraqi journalist jailed after hurling his shoes at former President George W. Bush will be released on 14 September.

His protest during Bush's last visit to Iraq as president turned the 30-year-old reporter into a folk hero across the Arab world amid anger over the 2003 invasion.

He has been in custody since the 14 December 2008 protest, which occurred as Bush was holding a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Neither leader was injured, but Bush was forced to duck for cover as the journalist shouted in Arabic: "This is your farewell kiss, you dog! This is from the widows, the orphans and those who were killed in Iraq."

The act of defiance transformed Muntadhar al-Zeidi from a reporter on a minor TV station into a national hero to many Iraqis, fed up with the US presence in their country, and became a rallying cry throughout the Muslim world.

Thousands demonstrated for al-Zeidi's release.

A giant shoe sculture was created by Baghdad-based artist, Laith al-Amari, in honor of the shoe throwing, which "is a source of pride for all Iraqis."

If you haven't played Sock and Awe yet, the web game inspired by Muntadhar al-Zeidi, now's your chance to do so in celebration of his release.