x.com/razitahirpak/status/2101266528461378006?s=46
1 correction found
Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud honored him with a reward and took him all the way to the Kaaba, to the Kiswah of the Kaaba.
The documented 2008 visit shows King Abdullah — not Salman — gave Bush the Saudi medal, and official records place Bush in Riyadh and Al-Janadriyah, not at the Kaaba in Mecca.
Full reasoning
The contemporaneous record of George W. Bush’s January 14–16, 2008 Saudi visit does not match this description.
- The U.S. State Department’s Office of the Historian lists Bush’s Saudi stop as "Riyadh, Al-Janadriyah" and says he "Met with King Abdullah."
- A contemporaneous AP report says King Abdullah presented Bush with the kingdom’s highest order, the Order of King Abdul Aziz. That contradicts the post’s claim that Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud was the one who honored Bush with the award.
- White House photo records from January 15, 2008 show Prince Salman bin Abdul Al-Aziz accompanying Bush during a tour of Al Murabba Palace and the National History Museum in Riyadh. Another White House caption says Bush spent his last day in Saudi Arabia in a roundtable, the King’s Palace/National History Museum, and Al Janadriyah, the King’s ranch. Those official records place Salman with Bush in Riyadh, not at the Kaaba in Mecca.
- In addition, Saudi/U.S. travel guidance states that non-Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca. Since Bush is not Muslim, the claim that he was publicly taken "all the way to the Kaaba" is incompatible with both Saudi access rules and the official itinerary.
So the available documentary evidence shows a Riyadh/Al-Janadriyah visit with King Abdullah presenting the honor, not Salman taking Bush to the Kaaba or the Kiswah.
5 sources
- George W. Bush - Travels of the President - Office of the Historian
For January 14–16, 2008, the Saudi Arabia entry reads: "Riyadh, Al-Janadriyah" and "Met with King Abdullah."
- Bush Delivers Major Arms Sale To Saudis - CBS News (AP)
The report states: "Abdullah presented Mr. Bush" with the kingdom’s highest order, "the Order of the late King Abdul Aziz."
- President George W. Bush and Prince Salman Bin Abdul Al-Aziz pause for photographers ... during a tour of Al Murabba Palace and National History Museum in Riyadh
White House caption: Bush and Prince Salman were at "Al Murabba Palace and National History Museum in Riyadh" on January 15, 2008.
- Sword dancers pose for a photograph ... await the arrival of President George W. Bush to Al Murabba Palace in Riyadh
White House caption: Bush spent his last day in Saudi Arabia in a roundtable, the King's Palace and National History Museum, and "the evening at Al Janadriyah, the King's ranch."
- Saudi Arabia Travel Advisory | Travel.State.gov
The advisory says: "Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the city of Mecca at any time."