MARCH 7 — In Elie Shafak’s book The Forty Rules of Love, she shared with the reader an interesting philosophy of Sufism which the Sufi’s call the void, or the fifth element.
This uncontrollable and inexplicable divine element is something us humans cannot understand. Ironically, I was reading this book around the same time MH370 went missing and it triggered in me how we can go on with life, doing the same things daily, not giving a thought to that void which may just consume us whole, unexpectedly.
It will be two years now ever since MH370’s disappearance on March 8, 2014. I can only imagine how the family and friends of the passengers and crew on board feels since the search for the aircraft has not led them, and everyone else who were affected by its disappearance, towards any proper closure. There had been many theories, numerous tributes, not to mention legal suits directed towards Malaysia Airlines for negligence etc. while the search mission in the deep, dark waters of the southern Indian Ocean by the Australian naval force still continues, until June this year, before they end it. Lest we forget, this year will also mark two years of the MH17 tragedy, which was attacked by yet, ‘unconfirmed’ countries, targeting their weapons of mass destruction on its flight path. Again, there are no words as to how the families and friends of the passengers and crew felt upon learning they will never see their loved ones. But, to not know whether you can ever see your loved ones again since there is still no confirmation (as in the case of MH370) on where they might be, the aftermath is actually more acute.
Out of the many tributes given to MH370, in my opinion, none was more eerily and beautifully executed in telling us the visual journey of Boeing 777-200 9M-MRO before it disappeared, through the lenses of avid plane spotters and photographers from six continents, spearheaded by one Michael Raisch. In a decade of the aircraft circumnavigating around the globe, Raisch had compiled aviation photos of 9M-MRO and shared it with the masses on the internet. The photographers added their personal remarks together with the pictures they took and how its disappearance had affected them. It was made more poignant because the photographers were not aware that out of all the aircraft pictures they took, that particular aircraft has made the most impact in aviation photography.
I did not have any friends and family on board the two ill fated aircrafts, but I was distressed with the thought that my ex-colleagues in Malaysia Airlines, several of them cabin crew who are still flying, would have to take on these tragedies as calmly as possible on board many more flights, and brave on for the sake of their passengers.
People might think it’s all just smiles and meal services, but there is actually more to it than that. The cabin crew is there for your safety and they, together with the technical crew, will be the last ones out of the aircraft in case of any emergency.
Spare a thought for the crew when you are on board, be kind, as everyone you meet is fighting their own personal battle you do not know about. For the families and friends who lost their loved ones and for those who still do not have closure, I empathise with all of you and I salute you as ordinary heroes who are doing your best to live life, even if no one really understands the pain and anguish you are going through. For my friends who are still working and giving the best service on board our national carrier, my thoughts and prayers are always with you. We may not know what is coming for us, but must always be aware of this void and we must respect it as God has a bigger scheme laid out for all of us. Until then, the nation will remain hopeful that perhaps, someday, MH370 will finally find its way home.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.
