The story of 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed and his clock has now filled Twitter and Facebook, gaining such significant attention that it has brought in figures like Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mark Zuckerberg, and NASA engineers including Babak Ferdowsi. The news that spread like wildfire on social media was that Ahmed, a resident of Irving, Texas, built a clock in his room on Sunday night, September 13, and took it to school the next day, where a teacher feared it might be a bomb and called the police. Images shared on social media show Texas police escorting Ahmed out of school in handcuffs, a 14-year-old wearing a NASA t-shirt, glasses, and a serious face, as if all elements of the image testify to his passion for science and technology. Now, the teachers at MacArthur High School in Irving also know that what Ahmed built was a clock, not a bomb. In fact, the bomb was the image of the 14-year-old in handcuffs, which exploded and reached the White House. Barack Obama, the President of the United States, tweeted: 'What a cool clock, Ahmed. Do you want to bring it to the White House? We should inspire more kids like you to love science. That’s what makes America great.' Then it was Hillary Clinton's turn, one of the Democratic candidates for the upcoming presidential election, who tweeted: 'Assumptions and fear do not make us safe; they hold us back. Ahmed, keep being curious and keep building.' Naturally, it wasn't just politicians who joined the campaign to support Ahmed. This campaign also has a significant place for scientists and innovators, such as Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, who invited Ahmed to visit Facebook for a meeting. Zuckerberg wrote: 'Having the skill and ambition to build something cool should be celebrated, not lead to arrest. The future belongs to people like Ahmed.' Finally, Babak Ferdowsi, a NASA systems engineer who managed the flight of the Curiosity rover mission, addressed Ahmed: 'Hello Ahmed. Call me in two years. Smart, curious, and creative people are always welcome in our work.'
The Clock That Became a News Bomb
Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old from Texas, was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, which a teacher mistook for a bomb. The incident sparked widespread support from prominent figures including Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, highlighting issues of racial profiling and the importance of encouraging young innovators.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ahmed Mohamed, a 14-year-old boy, was arrested for bringing a homemade clock to school, which was mistaken for a bomb. The incident garnered widespread attention and support from notable figures, highlighting issues of racial profiling and the importance of fostering innovation among youth.
- Ahmed built a clock that was mistaken for a bomb by a teacher.
- The incident led to a viral social media response and support from prominent figures.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The incident reflects ongoing tensions in the U.S. regarding race, education, and innovation, particularly for minority youth. It also showcases the role of social media in amplifying individual stories.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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