Last Saturday 21st September the world saw shocking images of an attack at Westgate Mall in Nairobi Kenya by a number of gunmen from Somalia’s al-Shabaab Islamist militant group.One image that touched many hearts was taken by Reuters photographer Goran Tomasevic, which showed a picture of a small girl running towards a man.
The image became one of the many iconic photographs from the attack, which dragged on for days, eventually leaving 72 dead and the mall in ruins. While few details were included with the Reuters description of the picture, the visual image of the small girl running alone to safety was striking enough for the image to go viral.
Now more details about the photograph — in particular, the man holding a gun who is trying to reach the girl — have become known, and they’re remarkable.
The man’s name is Abdul Haji. The man in the photograph is not a member of security forces, just a humble citizen and a Muslim who is ethnically Somalian. He had rushed to the mall to find his brother.
Speaking to Kenya’s NTV television, Haji admitted that his first thought when he realized it was a terrorist attack was that men had come to attack his brother (the two men are sons of Mohamed Yusuf Haji, a Somali politician based in Kenya). Haji teamed up with plain-clothed police officers and a civilian security group and began working to get the people out of the building.
Asked by the hosts about the now iconic photograph, Haji said that his group were communicating with two women and their three children hiding behind the white table in the picture. After asking the women to run, they said they couldn’t do it with the three children at once, so Haji asked the eldest child to run towards them alone.
This little girl is a very brave girl,” he said. “Amid all this chaos around her, she remained calm, she wasn’t crying and she actually managed to run towards men who were holding guns. I was really touched by this and I thought if such a girl can be so brave … it gave us all courage.”
The full interview is below (the moment where Haji talks about the photograph begins at 14:30 minute mark)
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/abdul-haji-the-man-behind-westgate-photo-2013-9#ixzz2gCB0zBHZ
After news of the attack,I saw a picture of this man crouching by a stairwell with a pistol.I prayed for him because he had no bullet proof vest. So glad he made it out alive. I hated Muslims but this man has forever changed my perception of what a true Muslim is.Bravo to you and the many heroes that weren’t photographed.You were Gods angel that day!
Maria,
You hated Muslims? Based on what exactly?
I’ve got mad respect and admiration for this Haji guy .His heroic and selfless deeds in the face of great risks should be rewarded and given the highest recognition.He has restored my faith in humanity.Bravo Haji asante sana.
Wow!! Im just surprised only two comments!! What world do we live in??
Correction; He is the son of a former Minister of Security of Kenya, who happen to be of Somali origin. He is NOT the son of a Somali politician based in Kenya
You’ve hit the nail on the head.Very correct on that.
Wow,kenya has got beautiful modern malls so whats wrong with us in zambia? Only salaula and endless street vending i guess.
Anyway, a very laudable example by Mr Haji my hat off to you sir.
Iwe when were you last in Zambia? 1980s I guess because we have about 20 malls these days. Why not take a trip home you will get tired of all the malls
It is hard to understand (and accept) why innocent men, women and children have to suffer at the hand of cruel and blood thirsty men. However, when I see how someone became so useful at the right time in the right place, I gain an ounce of courage and hope and I’m prepared to move on no matter what the crisis is.
This Haji guy needs counciling….he is likey to suffer from Post traumatic Disorder or PSD. He is s hero of the moment!
Its spelt counselling,chilyata.
Lesson learned here.
People should learn to respect every citizen regardless of their political or tribal lines. The man was not even near a police, neither a cadre or a military personnel, but the love for his brother. So cadres do not just insult people you do not know on this blog.
I saw how sad people where after a Tasmania and partner were killed.
Always there is someone to save mankind. We pray that person will soon save Zambia
So full of comfort to know that there are true human beings around with hearts, it’s a crazy world and very dangerous times we are living in. God bless the departed and those who survived that traumatic attack. I always get goose bumps teary eyes every time i see those testimonies on telly, only God knows what tomorrow holds for all of us, may Alla, the God of Abraham be with us all.
BRAVE GUY!
I take off my hat!!
I saw his pic and thought he was the equivalent of what we have here C5,……!!
But What happened to his brother,…….?!?!?!?
I hope he is fine,…. if he didn’t make it,…sad……..!!
Once again,… thankful for his BRAVE effort……
His brother managed to escape from the mall.
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