• Naval ships escort cargo ship MV Abdullah out of the high risk zone after the vessel with 23 crew was released by Somali pirates. Photo: SR Shipping
    Naval ships escort cargo ship MV Abdullah out of the high risk zone after the vessel with 23 crew was released by Somali pirates. Photo: SR Shipping
  • Mohammad Nooruddin is among 23 men who have been released from captivity by Somali pirates who captured the cargo ship that was headed to Dubai from Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: SR Shipping
    Mohammad Nooruddin is among 23 men who have been released from captivity by Somali pirates who captured the cargo ship that was headed to Dubai from Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: SR Shipping
  • The 23 sailors from Bangladesh are safe, the ship is being escorted by naval vessels out of the high risk zone and will reach Dubai’s Al Hamriya port next week. Photo: SR Shipping
    The 23 sailors from Bangladesh are safe, the ship is being escorted by naval vessels out of the high risk zone and will reach Dubai’s Al Hamriya port next week. Photo: SR Shipping
  • Sailors who were held hostage by Somali pirates for more than a month on the Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah celebrate after the cargo ship was released by the pirates. photo: SR Shipping
    Sailors who were held hostage by Somali pirates for more than a month on the Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah celebrate after the cargo ship was released by the pirates. photo: SR Shipping
  • Mohammad Nooruddin with his wife and young son before boarding the cargo ship MV Abdullah that was seized by Somali pirates last month. Photo: SR Shipping
    Mohammad Nooruddin with his wife and young son before boarding the cargo ship MV Abdullah that was seized by Somali pirates last month. Photo: SR Shipping
  • Ainul Hoque (centre), from Chittagong, is among 22 Bangladeshi sailors who were taken hostage by Somali pirates for over a month. His younger brother Mainul Hoque and his mother Lutfi Ara (pictured) are relieved the crew has been released. Photo: The Hoque family
    Ainul Hoque (centre), from Chittagong, is among 22 Bangladeshi sailors who were taken hostage by Somali pirates for over a month. His younger brother Mainul Hoque and his mother Lutfi Ara (pictured) are relieved the crew has been released. Photo: The Hoque family
  • A group of about 20 pirates took control of the MV Abdullah as it carried coal from Maputo, Mozambique, to Al Hamriya port, UAE, on March 12. Ainul Hoque (pictured) is among those on board who were held hostage and released on Sunday. Photo: The Hoque family
    A group of about 20 pirates took control of the MV Abdullah as it carried coal from Maputo, Mozambique, to Al Hamriya port, UAE, on March 12. Ainul Hoque (pictured) is among those on board who were held hostage and released on Sunday. Photo: The Hoque family
  • Ainul Hoque's brother Mainul and mother, Lutfa Ara, hold photos of him and await his return to Bangladesh. Photo: The Hoque family
    Ainul Hoque's brother Mainul and mother, Lutfa Ara, hold photos of him and await his return to Bangladesh. Photo: The Hoque family
  • A small boat sails next to the MV Abdullah in a screengrab from a social media video released on March 12. Photo: Reuters
    A small boat sails next to the MV Abdullah in a screengrab from a social media video released on March 12. Photo: Reuters
  • An Indian Navy warship and a long range maritime patrol vessel responded after the Bangladeshi-flagged MV Abdullah (pictured) was seized by the pirates. Photo: Indian Navy
    An Indian Navy warship and a long range maritime patrol vessel responded after the Bangladeshi-flagged MV Abdullah (pictured) was seized by the pirates. Photo: Indian Navy
  • The family of Mohammed Atikullah, chief officer of the MV Abdullah, were relieved to speak to him and learn that all crew members are safe after being held hostage for over a month. Photo: The Asif family
    The family of Mohammed Atikullah, chief officer of the MV Abdullah, were relieved to speak to him and learn that all crew members are safe after being held hostage for over a month. Photo: The Asif family
  • Warships escort the Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah after it was released by Somali pirates. Photo: EUNAVFOR
    Warships escort the Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah after it was released by Somali pirates. Photo: EUNAVFOR

'Just pray for us': hostages on ship seized by Somali pirates tell family of fears


Ramola Talwar Badam
  • English
  • Arabic

Bangladeshi sailors taken hostage by Somali pirates have spoken to their families for the first time since their cargo vessel was seized last week.

Somali pirates hijacked the Bangladesh-flagged MV Abdullah that was carrying coal from Maputo, Mozambique to Al Hamriya port, UAE, with 22 crew on board on March 12.

Relatives have described the terror and psychological trauma the men are experiencing with Somali pirates wielding AK-47 assault rifles on board.

They have also raised concerns of dwindling supplies of fresh water and food as the ship was scheduled to reach the Emirates earlier this week.

Every day we are scared something will happen to him
Mainul Hoque about his brother Ainul Hoque,
among 22 Bangladeshi hostages being held by Somali pirates

The ship owners, SR Shipping Lines, confirmed the men were safe and all efforts were being made for the return of the crew and vessel.

“My brother is very nervous, they are all scared, their water will be finished very soon and if the food gets over - they are worried,” Mainul Hoque told The National from Chittagong, after the family spoke to his brother Ainul Hoque who is among the hostages.

“He said, ‘What will happen when the food gets over, what will we eat and drink?'”

The pirates demanded the crew give up phones and electronic devices and after several days permitted them a few minutes to speak to their families on the ship's satellite phone

Mainul's 30-year-old brother, an engineer, has been a seafarer since 2016 and the family are terrified of the danger he is in.

“My mother told my brother, ‘Be strong, you will come back to us very soon’," he said

“The pirates are not yet trying to hurt them but we can’t sleep because of the tension.

“Every day we are scared something will happen to him.”

Rescue efforts continue

A group of about 15 to 20 pirates took control of the ship carrying 55,000 tonnes of coal when it was about 500 nautical miles away from the Somali coast last week.

At gunpoint, the pirates forced the crew to sail to Somalia.

A group of about 20 pirates took control of the MV Abdullah, which was carrying coal from Maputo, Mozambique, to the UAE and took the Bangladeshi crew including Ainul Hoque (pictured) captive. Photo: Hoque family
A group of about 20 pirates took control of the MV Abdullah, which was carrying coal from Maputo, Mozambique, to the UAE and took the Bangladeshi crew including Ainul Hoque (pictured) captive. Photo: Hoque family

Meherul Karim, chief executive of SR Shipping, which is part of the Bangladesh-based KSRM Group, confirmed the crew were safe, but declined to speak about negotiations with the pirates.

“The crew are in good health, they are calling their families and we are in contact with the families,” Mr Karim said.

“The pirates allowed them to use the ship’s satellite phone to call their families."

When asked about the company’s communication with the pirates, he said, “Everything is being done to get the ship released without any injury and application of force.

“We are doing everything possible to get the vessel out as early as possible.”

This is the second time that a vessel owned by the group has been hijacked by Somali pirates.

In March 2011, pirates released 26 hostages from the MV Jahan Moni after 100 days in captivity.

Mr Karim was part of the team that negotiated the release of the crew more than a decade ago.

“We are in a team and working together,” he said.

“We will use all the experience we have to bring the men home safe.”

'How can we eat when my son is not getting food'

The family of Mohammed Atikullah, the ship’s 35-year-old chief officer, said they were relieved to speak to him but were anxious about the crew’s mental wellbeing.

“My brother said ‘just pray for us’,” Mohammad Asif, his younger brother, told The National from Chittagong.

The family of Mohammed Atikullah, chief officer of the MV Abdullah (pictured), have expressed relief that he is safe although still being held hostage after the cargo vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates. Photo: Asif family
The family of Mohammed Atikullah, chief officer of the MV Abdullah (pictured), have expressed relief that he is safe although still being held hostage after the cargo vessel was hijacked by Somali pirates. Photo: Asif family

He said they were fine and there was no need to worry.

"He tried to make us feel better," Mr Asif said.

“After the call, we felt a bit of relief. Before that, we were in panic mode every day.

“Even though he told us they [pirates] didn’t harm them, I know that mentally they are not well.

The pirates had machine guns, AK-47s, and other heavy weapons, Mr Asif said.

“All crew are in one room, the bridge room, at night but they are not sleeping well," he added.

“We want them to get back safe soon.”

The thought of their loved one on a ship with gunmen had shaken his wife and young children and mother.

“We are going through very hard times, my mother is crying every day,” Mr Asif said.

“She says my son is not getting food properly, how can we eat.”

Several hijacking attempts off the Somali coast since December have triggered concern about a resurgence of piracy.

This coincides with a surge in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeting merchant ships passing through the Red Sea in retaliation against the military operation by Israel in Gaza.

Naval forces from multiple nations have stepped up patrolling following a rise in piracy and drone attacks in the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

In the case of MV Abdullah, the Indian Navy said it responded to an SOS call from the cargo ship and had deployed a patrol aircraft.

An Indian warship tried to establish communication with the crew but did not receive a response and stayed with the vessel until it entered Somali waters.

In a separate incident, the Indian navy rescued 17 crew and took control of Maltese-flagged bulk carrier MV Ruen on March 16.

The navy said all 35 pirates surrendered marking the end of the takeover of the Bulgarian-owned vessel that was hijacked in December 2023 – the first time since 2017 that any cargo vessel was successfully boarded by Somali pirates.

Somali gunmen caused fear in the maritime world when attacks peaked in 2011 and pirates took dozens of crew hostage and demanded millions of dollars in ransom.

Piracy incidents fell sharply in recent years after the international naval presence was expanded in high-risk areas off the Somali coast.

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Torque: 320Nm

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Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

The Energy Research Centre

Founded 50 years ago as a nuclear research institute, scientists at the centre believed nuclear would be the “solution for everything”.
Although they still do, they discovered in 1955 that the Netherlands had a lot of natural gas. “We still had the idea that, by 2000, it would all be nuclear,” said Harm Jeeninga, director of business and programme development at the centre.
"In the 1990s, we found out about global warming so we focused on energy savings and tackling the greenhouse gas effect.”
The energy centre’s research focuses on biomass, energy efficiency, the environment, wind and solar, as well as energy engineering and socio-economic research.

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
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  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
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Five hymns the crowds can join in

Papal Mass will begin at 10.30am at the Zayed Sports City Stadium on Tuesday

Some 17 hymns will be sung by a 120-strong UAE choir

Five hymns will be rehearsed with crowds on Tuesday morning before the Pope arrives at stadium

‘Christ be our Light’ as the entrance song

‘All that I am’ for the offertory or during the symbolic offering of gifts at the altar

‘Make me a Channel of your Peace’ and ‘Soul of my Saviour’ for the communion

‘Tell out my Soul’ as the final hymn after the blessings from the Pope

The choir will also sing the hymn ‘Legions of Heaven’ in Arabic as ‘Assakiroo Sama’

There are 15 Arabic speakers from Syria, Lebanon and Jordan in the choir that comprises residents from the Philippines, India, France, Italy, America, Netherlands, Armenia and Indonesia

The choir will be accompanied by a brass ensemble and an organ

They will practice for the first time at the stadium on the eve of the public mass on Monday evening 

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

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Rating: 3/5

 

Company: Instabug

Founded: 2013

Based: Egypt, Cairo

Sector: IT

Employees: 100

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

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The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

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THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shantanu Maheshwari, Jimmy Shergill, Saiee Manjrekar

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Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

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Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Updated: March 28, 2024, 12:41 PM