Our new-age heroes

What a wonderful story about the true martyrdom of Ayyub Khalef, who literally hugged his way to paradise, preventing many other deaths (Iraqi cop hugs suicide bomber to save lives, KT, December 19).

By (Steve Liddle, Sharjah)

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sat 21 Dec 2013, 10:54 PM

Last updated: Tue 7 Apr 2015, 5:10 PM

That instant decision of that young man to contain a suicide mass-murderer surely equals the 27 years Mandela spent in prison in eternal time. It ranks him with all saints of faithful action and honour.

Equally inspiring was the call by Mustafa Al Zarooni (Keeping pace with technology) for young journalists to question authorities more courageously. ‘Shooting the messenger’ may be the ultimate challenge to truth-seeking journalists but questioning establishments requires the kind of everyday courage which challenges those grown used to evasion, exoneration or self-censorship.

Aside from moral courage, such checks on dishonest and untruth, in my experience, require psychological insight and community support. I look forward to some authoritative spokesperson in the region who will publicly and consistently correct the misguided or self-defeating views. Such would be my ‘person of the new century’.


More news from