I have no idea, because I never gave it a moment's thought. Why would I? In retrospect it seemed like a simple courtesy from one religious leader to another with whom he was meeting, like a diplomat shaking hands with another. I seem to recall Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam--I guess some people will blame all that Saddam did subsequent to that on Rumsfeld now.
it seemed like a simple courtesy from one religious leader to another