9-year-old Emirati boy returns home from Mexico on a 48-hour journey

A nine-year-old Emirati boy is back safely in the UAE after a 48-hour journey across the Atlantic.

Meshaal Mahmoud Ali traveled to Mexico with his grandfather to attend his uncle’s wedding. His parents were supposed to follow days later, but not before flights were cancelled due to COVID-19. 

After registering with the Tawajudi programme and contacting the UAE Embassy, a plan was put in place to bring Meshaal back to the emirates.

After hours of traveling by land from a coastal town to Mexico City, the boy boarded a flight to the UK, transiting through Canada.

He finally flew to Dubai, completing the two-day trip home that was made possible by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC), and the cooperation of UAE Embassies in Mexico, Canada and the UK. 

The boy's father, Mahmood Mohammed Al Ali, hailed the efforts of the Ministry and said, "In these times, we are going through compelling circumstances beyond our control. The Ministry and UAE embassies are doing an outstanding job in overcoming all challenges and finding the best ways to facilitate procedures for the return of Emiratis to the homeland."