Ahmed Mohamed, the Texas teenager who was handcuffed after taking a homemade clock to school, will be making a trip to the White House to meet with President Obama.
White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest confirmed in a briefing on Monday that Mohamed would be arriving at the White House for the event. However, Obama isn’t likely going to meet the 14-year-old.
“I don’t believe that the president will have an opportunity to meet one on one with Ahmed Mohamed,” Earnest said. “After all, there are several hundred people who are planning to participate in tonight’s festivities on the South Lawn.”
Mohamed will attend the White House Astronomy Night. On Twitter, Mohamed posted pictures of his arrival in Washington, D.C.
In #WashingtonDC!! pic.twitter.com/M1aXBsPQle
— Ahmed Mohamed (@IStandWithAhmed) October 16, 2015
After he was arrested last month, Obama expressed his support for Mohamed. “Cool clock, Ahmed,” 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.”
Critics claimed the teen was a victim of religious profiling. Irving Police called his clock a “hoax bomb” but didn’t charge him.
Astronomy Night, which is being held for the second time, aims to promote STEM programs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in schools.
“I’m confident that Ahmed, like everyone else who attends astronomy night will go through the security measures and screening measures that are necessary to ensure the safety of the president, the White House, and everybody else who’s participating in astronomy night,” Earnest also stated.
Mohamed drew controversy last week after he met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, according to the Sudan Tribune. Bashir is considered an war criminal by the International Criminal Court for his alleged involvement in the genocide in Darfur.
