In a world where courage and selflessness are often in short supply, there are individuals who embody these virtues, inspiring us all with their actions. One such hero is former professional boxer Musa Abdraim, who, without hesitation, put his life on the line to help airport authorities neutralize a knife-wielding assailant threatening a young woman at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan. This astonishing act of bravery has sent shockwaves, leaving many in awe of Abdraim’s fearless intervention.
At 52, Abdraim, a father of five, has become an unlikely hero, having already retired from his boxing career. Yet, his instincts and reflexes, honed from years of experience in the ring, kicked in when he witnessed the harrowing scene unfold. The assailant, a 67-year-old man, had reacted violently when asked to produce his identification at the security checkpoint, pulling out a knife and taking 21-year-old security officer Botagoz Mukhtarova hostage. The situation escalated further when the attacker claimed to have a bomb in his backpack, threatening to detonate it remotely using his phone. According to Abdraim, “The attacker had a knife and a phone, telling the police that he would press a button and everything would explode.”
As chaos erupted, with security guards and police observing the scene, Abdraim made a bold decision that could have cost him his life. He offered to take the place of the young hostage, convincing the attacker to release Mukhtarova and take him instead. When the assailant agreed to the exchange, Abdraim seized the opportunity, using his quick thinking and physical prowess to grab the knife from the attacker’s hand, despite the risk of being injured. A struggle ensued, but ultimately, with the help of airport security and police, the attacker was subdued and arrested.
The dramatic events have been widely reported, with images of the incident showing the attacker holding Abdraim at knifepoint. Abdraim’s selfless act has earned him widespread recognition, including praise from the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who announced that Abdraim will receive a state medal for his bravery. The attacker, meanwhile, faces up to 12 years in prison for his actions.
Recalling the events, Abdraim said, “I came to the airport to see off my relatives and suddenly heard a girl screaming. I saw that he was about to stab her, and I told him, ‘Take me as a hostage instead of her’.” Abdraim’s background in boxing, martial arts, and kickboxing undoubtedly played a role in his ability to handle the situation, but his courage and willingness to put himself in harm’s way are a testament to his character. As Abdraim himself noted, “In the past, I did boxing, martial arts, Thai boxing, kickboxing… but that was a long time ago.” Now, he is being hailed as a hero, and his actions will undoubtedly inspire others to follow in his footsteps.