An Emirati preacher, recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, found unexpected companionship from five strangers who traveled with him to the US for surgery. Dr. Wassem Yousef, a former imam at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and a well-known TV personality, is battling sarcoma, a cancer that develops in bones and soft tissues.
Dr. Yousef shared his ordeal, explaining that his family couldn’t accompany him to Houston, Texas, due to visa processing delays. Forced to travel alone, he detailed his experience in a live-stream session on social media. Unexpectedly, a group of Emiratis he “didn’t know in any way, shape, or form” reached out, offering to travel with him to Houston.
“Immediately after the session, I got a message from one of the five youngsters, who told me they had booked their flight tickets (to accompany me). I was shocked and tried talking him out of it, but he didn’t budge. I didn’t know him or any of the other youth. It was a moment of pure happiness, which made me cry. My family’s visa couldn’t be processed at that time, so I was extremely lonely. Ahmed, Jamal, Hamad and the other two couldn’t have been kinder during such a time,” he recounted.
Dr. Yousef initially went to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with lipoma. Seeking a second opinion at Sheikh Khalifa Medical Hospital, he learned he had sarcoma. “I felt it was the end of my life, and I was shattered, but then I accepted it as God’s fate.” Advised by the Abu Dhabi government to seek treatment abroad, he applied for a US visa. The visa was processed two weeks later while he was traveling in Germany, and he subsequently headed to Houston.
Currently, Dr. Yousef is at MD Anderson Cancer Center, with surgery tentatively scheduled for July 29. The five supportive Emiratis are by his side at the hospital.
“I wouldn’t wish my disease on the worst of my enemies. I thank the UAE government and everyone who wishes me good health. I am also thankful to Mubarak Almheiri, Consul General of the UAE in Houston, for caring for me and continuously staying in touch. I was feeling lonely and in pain, so I appreciate all the prayers and good wishes I get and try to ignore everything else,” Dr. Yousef expressed.
Community Kindness
The kindness shown by these strangers highlights the strength of community support in times of adversity. Their willingness to stand by Dr. Yousef during his treatment has not only uplifted his spirits but also underscored the importance of compassion and solidarity.
