One ride, two strangers, and a shared humanity

Some moments stay with you—not because they’re big or dramatic, but because they remind you of something we often forget: our shared humanity.

In this episode of Deep Dive Dardachāt, Hala and Rami dive into one of my stories that’s close to my heart—The Saudi Uber Driver. It’s about a ride I took in Riyadh during Ramadan, but the real story isn’t about the ride at all. It’s about what happens when two strangers share a small, human moment that breaks through differences and reminds us of what really matters.

Stuck… Then something shifts

It was one of those days—you know the ones. Meetings ran long. The sun was setting. I was tired, hungry, and just trying to get home. The streets were jammed. Everyone was rushing, and no Ubers were in sight.

And then, finally, one arrived. Abdulrahman was the driver. I got in, relieved. But within seconds, I realized something bigger was happening.

He handed me a bottle of water and a few dates. No words. No fuss. Just a simple gesture.

But it wasn’t simple.

The gesture that said everything

Here was a man who had been fasting the entire day. He hadn’t had a sip of water since sunrise. And yet, his first instinct wasn’t to think of himself but to offer me—his passenger—hospitality.

The dates he offered weren’t just food. They were an invitation into a moment of shared humanity.
He was a Muslim breaking his fast. I was a Christian just trying to get home. And yet, in that small car, for those few minutes, we weren’t labels or titles.
We were two people sharing something deeply human: a moment of kindness, respect, and presence.

The meeting beneath the meeting

This wasn’t just a car ride. It was a reminder.

🤝 That kindness doesn’t need an announcement.
🤲 That generosity often shows up when we least expect it.
🌍 That the real connection happens not in grand gestures, but in small, quiet acts of respect.

Abdulrahman reminded me of the kind of leader, friend, and human I want to be. Someone who notices. Who gives without expecting. Who connects without asking why.

A lesson for all of us

We live in a world where differences are often highlighted more than what we have in common. Where people hold back their generosity because they’re waiting for the "right" moment.

But moments like this ride remind me:
✅ We don’t have to wait.
✅ We don’t need to know someone’s story to be kind.
✅ We all have something simple—and meaningful—to offer.

How can you show up today?

Hala and Rami asked a beautiful question at the end of the episode:
👉 Are you ready to be someone’s Abdulrahman today?
👉 Are you open to receiving kindness when it shows up unexpectedly?

Because sometimes, the most profound moments happen in the middle of ordinary life.
And when they do, they can leave us changed.