Heartwarming Reunion: 'Message of Hope' Brings 'Fahd' Back to His Relieved Parents

An 8-year-old boy with autism went missing for three hours in Dubai's Al Warqa area, sparking a community-wide search that ended when a stranger found him near a highway and brought him to police. The incident shows how quickly Dubai residents mobilize to help families in crisis.

Fahd Ibrahim Al Khayyat left his family's home near Dragon Mall and took an unfamiliar route, worrying his parents when he didn't return within his usual 30-minute timeframe. His mother, known as Um Mohammed, turned to social media and WhatsApp groups for help finding her son.

The response was immediate. Neighbors, strangers, and community members started calling and physically searching the area. "I didn't feel alone," Um Mohammed said. "People who didn't even know me came out to search. The phone calls never stopped, and social media groups moved quickly."

The family faced a particular challenge because Fahd has limited verbal communication skills due to his autism. While he can recognize familiar areas visually, he couldn't tell anyone where he lived if found. This prompted his father to contact Al Rashidiya Police Station with Fahd's description and photo.

Within an hour, police received a call from someone who had found the boy near the main highway across from Dragon Mall. The good Samaritan brought Fahd to the station, where the duty officer bought him candy and let him play with his phone to keep him calm.

When the parents arrived at the station, they found their son relaxed and happy with the Dubai Police officers. "The officer really took care of him," Um Mohammed noted, praising both the stranger who found Fahd and the police response.

The incident highlights how Dubai's diverse community - both citizens and residents - comes together during emergencies. Um Mohammed received dozens of calls after posting on social media, with people offering to help search different areas of the city.

Children with autism often struggle with communication and may not recognize dangers like busy roads or strangers. They need constant supervision and can benefit from GPS tracking devices or smart bracelets that help locate them quickly.

Um Mohammed, who advocates for people with special needs, plans to work more intensively with Fahd on asking permission before leaving home. She's also created an Instagram account called "Proud of Fahd" to share his activities and achievements.

"My son came back to my arms thanks to God and good people," she said. "This experience, despite being harsh, gave me certainty that our community doesn't leave anyone to face challenges alone."

Experts recommend several steps to protect children with autism from getting lost: constant supervision in public places, routine training about asking permission before going out, using GPS tracking devices, and community awareness about recognizing autism signs and knowing how to help.