Saba Did the Right Thing, Say Many [Others say, What was she thinking?]

Arab News ^ | 19 November 2003 | Somayya Jabarti, Arab News Staff

[Russian Sage]

Saba Did the Right Thing, Say Many
Somayya Jabarti, Arab News Staff

JEDDAH, 19 November 2003 — Out of ruins heroes rise — or heroines.

Saba Abu Lisan, a young Saudi woman, rescued seven people, including her two sisters, after the Al-Muhaya Compound bombing in Riyadh on Nov.8 .

Wounded and bleeding herself, she transported the victims to King Faisal Specialist Hospital in her father’s Mercedes. Her actions — a conflict between following human instinct and violating Saudi law — stirred a mixture of reactions.

“There’s nothing to think about,” said Muhammad Haider, a Saudi father of four, when asked his opinion regarding the incident. “What Saba did was an act of heroism. In fact, what she did is in accordance with our traditions and our religion.

“Our religion tells us to respond to those in danger or in need of help. This is at the very roots and origins of our religion. And according to our traditions, it has always been important to help others without giving a thought to obstacles or complications. Saba did exactly that. It was good that she was there at that critical time.

“This brings us to the crucial question of women driving. The world has changed and women, like men, are subjected to all kinds of dangers that place them as mothers, sisters, daughters and wives in dangerous situations. Indeed I remember a friend of mine who suffered a heart attack while driving from Makkah to Jeddah; his wife gently pushed him aside, took the wheel into her hands and drove to the nearest hospital.”

Wael Hisham, another Saudi who is an STC employee, said: “I believe that it is each person’s duty to do whatever is needed and all that is possible when required. ‘Necessities permit the prohibited’ — that is what we are taught.

“This is a basic rule in accordance with our religion and the Shariah — what Saba did was utter heroism. Ironic as it may sound, it was luck and good fortune that she was in the right place at the right time.

“This brings us to the issue of women driving or not driving. What if Saba hadn’t known how to drive? What then? We should have schools to teach women how to drive. And we should have something like driving clubs where, after learning how to drive, women could actually drive since we know that good driving needs practice.”

Hassnaa Talal, a 26 year-old Saudi instructor at Al-Faisal International Academy for Language, denounced the bombings in Al-Muhaya and acknowledged the humanitarian action of Saba. “Just as the bombing was a criminal act, Saba’s reaction was humane through and through. This is what we need. If there were courses and workshops, like the first aid courses offered to women during the Gulf War which prepared us for such emergencies, then we could count more on people like Saba.”

Noura Abdallah said: “As much as I see the positive side of Saba’s reaction, as much as I know that — not only would I not have been able to do what she did but also neither would many other Saudi women. She took a big risk because things could have gone very wrong.”

Umm Rayan, a housewife and mother of three, said: “Had she been my daughter, I would have preferred that she stayed in place and waited for help. It actually troubles me to think that one of my daughters might one day take such a bold step. Saba was lucky that nothing happened to make things worse. No, I wouldn’t have done such a thing nor would I encourage anyone else to.”

Hamad Muhammad, on the other hand, took a completely different view. “What was she thinking? It’s not her role to save others. She exposed herself and those with her to grave danger,” he said. “She had no right to risk the lives of others. What if she had been involved in another accident on her way to the hospital? She should have waited for professional help. If we approve her action and applaud it, then we are encouraging other Sabas out there. I agree with the Arabic saying ‘Close the door through which the wind blows and relax.’”

“Saba’s action was a natural act, very humanitarian and something Islam is in favor of,” said Sulafah Hasan. “Islam values the human soul, giving it topmost priority. Nothing comes before human life. So Saba, driven by such a humane spirit and courageous character, did right. She was well-driven and — thank God — drove well. Well done, Saba!”

[observer5]

" I agree with the Arabic saying ‘Close the door through which the wind blows and relax."

I'tt tell you through which door my wind blows. Idiot!

[Pearls Before Swine]

What if she had been involved in another accident on her way to the hospital?

Unfortunately, this is a view which infects our overly legalistic society as well. It vitiates the good Samaritan ethic and instinct. Also, in England and in some of our States, it applies to self defense, or defense of others -- helpers may be emotionally motivated, but are not state-sanctioned professionals.

[RonF]

Have there not been cases here in the U.S. where children too young to legally drive have driven their parents when one suffered a heart attack at the wheel?