Rumki Chowdhury Interviews Hassanah Alsaba
Hassanah, your triumph is awe-inspiring, mash’Allah. Before we get into the details of your journey to becoming a pilot, I would like to know the younger Hassanah, the child who had this dream. First of all, there is a point in every child’s life where they realize that they cannot flap their wings and fly like birds can! Did you have such a moment? And at which point, when, where and how did you realize your dream?
H. I realized my dream when I was around five-years-old when I visited my grandparents by flying from Jamaica to Trinidad and the feeling of the airplane taking off was something I enjoyed and could never forget. Since then, my eyes were always glued to the sky whenever an airplane flew by and I knew I wanted to pursue flying as a career.
R. Mash’Allah, that’s beautiful. You attended a pilot training course. Tell us about this journey; what was it like being the only Muslim woman in your course? Describe the environment, any challenges you may have faced along the way, how you overcame them and what it all meant in shaping the person you are today?
H. Initially in my earlier years, my parents discouraged me from becoming a pilot and encouraged me to complete studies to enter the medical field. As time progressed, I noticed that I was not enjoying the subjects related to the medical field and I decided that I did not want to wake up to a job I hate. I turned my life around and applied to schools abroad considering the local aviation community was dormant. However, I could not afford it. I decided then that even though I couldn’t afford flight training, I still wanted to be around airplanes. I then decided to pursue a Computer Science degree and be trained as an Air traffic Controller.
My aviation journey, however, started in 2019 when I joined the newly-established Aeronautical Club of the West Indies. At this time, I was already enrolled at the University. The club was a social club that exposed members to the aviation industry and allowed you to meet Aviation professionals. On the first meeting day when I was getting a chance to fly on the flight simulator for fun, someone made a discriminatory comment that made me feel uncomfortable at first, but I knew that this would be part of the journey the further in the industry I went. This, however, did not stop me.
I began my Private Pilot Ground School course in May 2021 on a scholarship from the Aeronautical School of the West Indies while juggling my university studies for my Computer Science degree. Thankfully, that one comment was the only discomfort I faced in my training as the staff and students at ASWI were welcoming to me despite my faith. Funding for the flight training hours (I needed 45 minimum) was the biggest hurdle and Alhumdulillah, it shaped me into a more determined person as I took on more than one job to help finance the dream. This showed how much I was willing to work for what I wanted and I will stand by the statement of, “If you want it, you will work for it.”
R. How big a role did your hijab and your faith play throughout your life, leading up to this point?
H. Islam has been the main constant in my life and I will never give it up. Wearing the hijab since I was six-years-old, kept me grounded in my faith and reminded me to always rely on the Almighty in all situations. I knew that I wanted to follow my dreams so I tied my camel by putting in the work needed and putting my trust in Allah.
R. I am personally afraid of heights, but I wasn’t always and I wish I still wasn’t. For someone as curious as I am, could you describe the feeling of piloting that first flight up into the air? What was it like?
H. The first flight in the air felt surreal to me. I finally started training and I felt a strong sense of will power to continue pushing. After all that training, I held my Private Pilot License in my hands for the first time and it meant the whole world to me. The first step toward becoming an airline pilot was finally completed. The feeling while flying is a euphoric one. Looking down at the magnificent landscape the Almighty created is breathtaking.
R. Any words of wisdom for us Muslim hijabi women who have dreams such as you once had?
H. Learn as much as you can about the field you desire to be in. Arm yourself with the facts and allow no one to belittle your dream. The Almighty Allah has blessed you which is why many women in Islam were/are trail blazers. Islam should not be considered a hindrance, but rather, it should be considered a strength for us to excel in our endeavours. You have what it takes. Never doubt yourself. There’s no such thing as the “perfect timing;” there’s just time and what we decide to do with it.