It was only in 2018 that Saudi Arabia lifted its decades-old ban and allowed women to get behind the wheel and drive their way to freedom.
And amid such stern regulations was born Hana Mohsin Khan who later went on to become a commercial pilot.
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While she has been soaring in the sky and shattering the glass ceiling for years, Khan finally found peace when she landed the aircraft for the first time in the country she grew up in. She expressed this surreal experience on Twitter and wrote:
“Last time I was here, women weren’t allowed to drive! The feeling is surreal!”
Landed the aircraft for the first time in a country I grew up in!
Last time I was here, women weren’t allowed to drive!
The feeling is surreal! ♥️ pic.twitter.com/Ukm34oMNBq— Hana Mohsin Khan | هناء (@girlpilot_) May 24, 2022
An avid women’s rights activist, Khan is a media professional turned commercial pilot who was also among the 80 women who reportedly became victims of a fake online auction app ‘GitHub’ wherein Muslim women were sold under the title “Sulli deal of the day”. “Sulli” is derogatory slang for Muslim women.
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People online lauded this courageous woman for winning over hatred and being an inspiration to several people across the globe.
Hana Mohsin Khan is a pilot with Indigo Airlines since 2019. Hana Khan’s journey to becoming a pilot has been a wondrous one. She grew up in the Middle East, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
— Mohd Usman (@MohdUsman_INC) May 24, 2022
This means a lot! Proud of you 🥳
You posted a glass panel, but I can see a shattered ceiling 🙂— TheBoringGuy (@NurulQuamar) May 25, 2022
Can relate with you. The last time I was in Saudi Arabia (place where I grew up in) women had restrictions to work. 🇸🇦 has come a long way 🧡
— Aroosa Ahmed (@iAroosaAhmed) May 25, 2022
So cool
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) May 25, 2022
You’re always inspiring me! So proud of you :’)
— SSultann (@SSultann16) May 25, 2022
You’re an inspiration for many! Shine on, pilot sahiba. ❤️
— Paushali Sahu (@dreamzdotcom) May 25, 2022
Wish you many more happy landings.
— A I (@aviatorinvestor) May 25, 2022
Surreal indeed! Keep flying high!!!!
— Shalini Nair (@ShaliniNair68) May 25, 2022
Welcome to Saudi Arabia. The country is changing for better and more power to women who are as smart and intelligent as any country. My karam bhumi 👍
— Bakhtiyar Khan (@khanbakhtiyar) May 25, 2022
It’s such a proud moment. More power to you!