Fight, flight and the courage in between
Somewhere over north-western Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, September 30, flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv suddenly plunged 5,000 metres before eventually landing safely at Tabuk. Although the exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated, a series of actions that averted a major disaster has awed the world. Capt Smit Machchhar was reportedly attacked by his co-pilot. The…
On September 30, flydubai Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv plummeted 5,000 meters before landing safely in Tabuk. The incident, caused by a co-pilot assaulting the captain, saw the captain's life saved by a group of passengers and reserve pilots. The passengers' actions were driven by instinct and resourcefulness, rather than fearlessness.
Courage, as demonstrated by the passengers and reserve pilots, is not the absence of fear, but the ability to overcome it. It exists in various forms, including self-preserving and altruistic, and is shaped by the circumstances one faces. Courage can also be moral, as seen in whistleblowers and journalists, and is often accompanied by competence.
The story of Saman Kunan, who died while saving 12 boys in a flooded cave, exemplifies true courage, as it often comes at a great personal cost. However, courage is not limited to skilled individuals, as demonstrated by Abdul Aziz, who used an improvised tool to fend off a gunman. The power of "presence" and infectious courage can inspire others to act, as seen in the doctors who remained in Darfur, Sudan, despite the ongoing conflict.
Lastly, courage can also manifest as a stubborn refusal to leave, as seen in the millions of Gazans and Ukrainians who continue to resist the onslaughts in their respective countries.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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