Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Mohammed Al Hashmi, the Omani hero who pulled two children from a burning car, has been offered a place on two international safety courses by a Muscat college - free of charge.
Mohammed raced to a burning car at a Sur petrol station last Wednesday and rescued two children from inside as flames consumed the vehicle.
International College for Engineering and Management (ICEM) has now offered him a choice between the globally accredited Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) certificate and the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) courses.
Affan Khalfan Al Akhzami, Managing Director and CEO of ICEM, told Times of Oman that they are happy to help Hashmi, as he thoroughly deserves it.
“We came to know that he is unemployed. The courses offered by us will help in finding a job. It’s a gesture from our side for his bravery,” Affan added.
Mohammed told Times of Oman that he has received a call from the institute and he is very happy to accept the offer.
“I am happy. I didn’t do it expecting anything in return. My aim was to save the children at that time. Thanks to the Almighty for giving me the strength to act at that critical moment,” he told the Times of Oman.
He was waiting in his car at a petrol station on Wednesday when tragedy struck. While others were running for help, Mohammed sprang into action and rescued the children. His action saved the lives of two children, Gazal and Sulaiman Mohammed, after their father left them in the car to buy some groceries at a filling station in Sur. A fire started inside the vehicle and Mohammed leapt into action. His bravery has been the talk of social media with a hashtag in his honour on twitter.
Some considered him like Superman when he leapt into the face of danger out of nowhere and a graphic designer, Mohammad Al Asmar, painted a picture portraying the hero as wearing a dishdasha and musar (turban) while the top is unbuttoned to reveal underneath the classic red and blue colours of Superman with the letter M for Mohammad on the chest.
Of those who stood out on social media thanking the hero, Ismail Al Ajmi, Oman’s national team footballer player said, “He who saved the two children from the burning car, thank you, and God will bless you greatly for your actions.”
User @ALSAMR888 tweeted, “If you risk your own life to save children, it is the epitome of giving and bravery and it that is the characteristic of a true man.”
@3thwb_najd tweeted, “Saying thank you isn’t enough, but we ask God to add this act to your good deeds and give you all that you wish for.”
Praising his bravery, @almakn3 tweeted, “A brave act that is only done by fire fighters... and those with a brave heart to face fires.”
@abuwaeel87 tweeted, “He proved that he is a man of difficult situations; he deserves respect and recognition.”
Some users ask the responsible authorities to recognise him and acknowledge his brave act while also asking authorities to offer him a job.
“Thank you is little compared to what you deserve. You truly are an Omani man and this is who Omanis are. You deserve the highest recognition,” tweeted @YUSUF_ALQASMI.
@MugtahedAlarab demanded that a job is offered to Al Hashmi, “The Omani hero who saved the two Jordanian kids from death in Oman deserves recognition and a job immediately.”
