By M.Krishnamoorthy
A former Associate Professor, author, media coach, and journalist
Two prayers were recited in the Flydubai cockpit, from Dubai to Tel Aviv, during the stabbing incident.
CNN reported: “In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening, Smit Machchhar said that the copilot told him mid-flight that he needed to step aside to pray. The pilot said he didn’t consider the request unusual, since observant Muslims pray five times a day. But after a few minutes, Machchhar felt a strong blow to the back of his head.”
Machchhar said in a video released by Netanyahu’s office, “My first thought was that there was catastrophic damage to the aircraft. But then after that, the blows kept coming – one after the other. And that’s when I realised that it’s not the aircraft, it’s the other guy who was in the cockpit with me.”
Machchhar was badly injured while trying to fend off his attacker. Images showed a gruesome scene on board, with blood splashed across the cockpit and the seriously wounded pilot lying on the floor, his pained face partially covered with a mask.
In an earlier interview with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the stabbing: “Machchhar told Modi he was on the ground in the cockpit when he realised the plane was going down.”
NDTV reported that Machchhar recited ‘Hanuman Chalisa For Courage,’ while being stabbed, he told Modi. The pilot is currently recuperating at a hospital in the UAE. “It gave me the courage to fight off the attacking co-pilot,” a religious fanatic.
The Hanuman Chalisa Mantra is a devotional hymn recited to draw courage during the confrontation with his Omani co-pilot.
PM Modi applauded Captain Machchhar's courage and resourcefulness. He noted that “even as the captain fought for his own life, he did not think about himself and instead remained concerned about the lives of others. You were fighting for your life, but at that time, you didn't care about your life; you cared for the lives of all the people," PM Modi said.
Ends
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (https://helloimkrishna.com/) is a media coach, former Associate Professor, and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks, and The New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns.
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