UAE: 5 Strangers Fly To US To Support 'Lonely' Preacher Battling Rare Cancer

Dr Wassem Yousef's Family Could Not Travel Due to Visa Delays.

An Emirati preacher, Dr. Wassem Yousef, is finding solace in the unexpected company of five strangers who accompanied him to the US for surgery as he fights a rare form of cancer. Known for his role as a former Imam at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and a prominent TV personality, Dr. Yousef was recently diagnosed with sarcoma, a cancer affecting bones and soft tissues.

In an interview, Dr Yousef explained that visa processing delays prevented his family from travelling with him to Houston, Texas.

Facing the prospect of travelling alone, Dr Yousef shared his struggles during a live-stream session on social media. To his astonishment, a group of Emiratis he had never met reached out and offered to accompany him to Houston.

"Right after the session, I received a message from one of the five young men, informing me they had booked their flight tickets. I was taken aback and tried to dissuade him, but he insisted. I didn't know him or any of the others. It was a moment of pure joy that brought me to tears. My family's visa couldn't be processed quickly, so I felt extremely lonely. Ahmed, Jamal, Hamad, and the other two were incredibly kind during this difficult period," Dr. Yousef recounted.

Reflecting on his diagnosis, Dr. Yousef mentioned that he initially visited a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with lipoma. Seeking a second opinion at Sheikh Khalifa Medical Hospital, he received the devastating news of having sarcoma. "I felt like my life was over and was shattered, but eventually accepted it as God's will."

Advised by the Abu Dhabi government to seek treatment abroad, Dr Yousef applied for a US visa but has not received a response for two weeks. While travelling in Germany, he was informed that his visa had been processed, prompting his journey to Houston.

Now at MD Anderson Cancer Center with surgery scheduled for July 29, Dr. Yousef is grateful for the support of the five young Emiratis who are with him at the hospital.

"I wouldn't wish this disease on my worst enemy. I thank the UAE government and everyone who wishes me well. I am also grateful to Mubarak Almheiri, Consul General of the UAE in Houston, for his constant care and support. I was feeling lonely and in pain, so I deeply appreciate all the prayers and well-wishes, and I try to ignore any negativity," Dr. Yousef expressed.

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