Returning to home after a long struggle

Ashraful Islam Joy:

After a long wait, Nazmul Haque, the sailor of the MV Abdullah ship, who was freed from Somalia pirates, has finally returned to his parents.

After returning to his home in Char Noornagar village of Kamarkhand upazila of Sirajganj on Wednesday (May 15) morning, his parents, family, relatives and villagers welcomed him.

‘I don’t have known the language to express my joy after getting the opportunity to return my home from the hands of pirates. When I was held hostage by pirates, the opportunity to talk at home was over, I thought to myself that I would never see my parents again. I used to offer prayer and pray to Allah for our release. I used to say, O Allah, return us all to the lap of our mothers or bosom of our parents. Almighty Allah has heard our call. Everyone came to Bangladesh and reached to their own homes. I will stay at home for some time. Maybe I will get on the ship after Eid al-Adha,” said Nazmul.

His mother Nargis Khatun said, “I am thankful to Allah for giving me back my son to my chest. I don’t want anything else. I am grateful to all the people who helped me to get my son back.”

Earlier, on March 12, MV Abdullah was taken hostage by Somalia pirates. After almost 1 month, MV Abdullah and 23 sailors were freed from the pirates in the morning of April 14. Then the ship reached Al Hamria port in Dubai. From there, the ship left for Chattogram Port after loading limestone at another port named Mina Sakar. In all, after 65 days, the free sailors returned to home.

While talking, Shaheen Sultana, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in Kamarkhanda said, “Nazmul has finally reached to her mother lap after a long struggle. We all are happy about it. I wish to visit his house to meet with Nazmul soon.”