Zakaria Abusrewil

It was a cold, breezy night, we were preparing for a routine task. But it made me discover the true meaning of "willpower" which enables you to overcome fear and risk your life to save others.

I am Zakaria Abusrewil, a General Practitioner and a Civil Activist.

I had always dreamt of being a doctor who helps others. My family inherited the medical profession through generations and it effectively embedded human values within me.

November 2018 was a turning point in my life. I was on a medical team that was accompanying migrants returning to their homelands through Matiga Airport when all of a sudden the runway turned into a warzone filling the air around with bullets falling like meteors. My only concern at that point was to protect those under my responsibility. Thus, I began to calm the children, the women, the sick, and other passengers by alleviating their terror to help them maintain their patience.

The battle lasted till dawn and since the plane was only a temporary shelter, we had to move to a safer place within the airport. I felt no fear but rather a moral duty to risk my life to save others.

The sun rose and calm prevailed finally. We began directing the migrants to safety and as we succeeded in our mission, we were filled with joy and I felt very proud as I had not just stood by idly.

I came out of that experience as a different person. I was most certain that medicine wasn’t just a profession but a grand humanitarian mission. The impassioned flare of altruism in me has increased my determination to help everyone, especially during intense circumstances.

I now believe that every human being, regardless of their background and abilities has the right to a dignified life along with physical and psychological safety. I am even more determined to help and achieve justice for people. However, I still await the day when Libya becomes a country where security and peace would prevail and where criminals will be held accountable by law.