Cars and other debris swept away by tsunami tidal waves
are seen in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan.
I had the humbling experience of meeting and learning more about Abdullah Mudthafar and his family who've just survived the massive March 11 earthquake, which reached 9.0 on the Richter scale, along with the ensuing tsunami that destroyed their home, business, livelihood and killed many of their friends and neighbours.
We met and chatted for a long while at a muscial charity evening arranged by Saud and Taiko Al Arfaj at their home. The Loyac musicians were excellent and Marriot catered - both without charge - a token of love and friendship to the Japanese people. The Japanese Ambassador made a lovely speech regarding the hope that the Japanese have for the future. Each invitee opened their heart and donated to the cause.
Abdulla and his family were living in the in the north eastern Japanese city of Kesennuma. Where Abdulla had made his home for 23 years, when the earthquake struck. Initially he heard the warning alarm service on his mobile and having been through many earthquakes in Japan was not greatly perturbed.
When the earthquake struck after 2pm on that fateful day he was in his office. The whole room shook for over two minutes. He knew this was a massive earthquake and very serious. He had taken shelter under the table and now wanted to get to his family to check on their safety. Fortunately his school was next to his home where he found his family safe and also sheltering under tables. His wife Myuki, who is Japanese, had been in the car on her way to the bank when the quake hit, she immediately turned her car around and returned to the family house.
It was Myuki who encouraged her husband to get to higher ground. They convinced their elderly neighbours to come with them and so with all the family, two old ladies and a dog he headed towards higher ground. Abdulla did not mention to anyone in the car about the huge monster of water, wood, cars and boats that he could see gaining on them in the rear view mirror. At one point not 50 metres behind them. Finally, they started to gain ground and rise up above the enormous tidal wave of destruction.
This very humble man and his family have lost everything. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan paid his airfare and recommended he and his family leave to Kuwait. His eldest son insisted to stay in Japan to help, and hopefully return to his university as soon as possible. Abdulla's other two children are with him here.
It was very hard to know what to say to the children so I gave them big hugs and tried to encourage them about the future. Myuki is so very worried about her family. Her younger children Sara and Kazem want to return to Japan as soon as possible but the uncertainty of the dangers makes that decision very hard. But I do understand that grieving in a group with people who have suffered the same tragic losses is more comforting than being far away from your friends, family and beloved country.
I wish Abdulla and his family well. I hope the Kuwaiti government will extend a helping hand to Abdulla. I pray for Japan.
are seen in Kesennuma in Miyagi Prefecture, northern Japan.
I had the humbling experience of meeting and learning more about Abdullah Mudthafar and his family who've just survived the massive March 11 earthquake, which reached 9.0 on the Richter scale, along with the ensuing tsunami that destroyed their home, business, livelihood and killed many of their friends and neighbours.
We met and chatted for a long while at a muscial charity evening arranged by Saud and Taiko Al Arfaj at their home. The Loyac musicians were excellent and Marriot catered - both without charge - a token of love and friendship to the Japanese people. The Japanese Ambassador made a lovely speech regarding the hope that the Japanese have for the future. Each invitee opened their heart and donated to the cause.
Abdulla and his family were living in the in the north eastern Japanese city of Kesennuma. Where Abdulla had made his home for 23 years, when the earthquake struck. Initially he heard the warning alarm service on his mobile and having been through many earthquakes in Japan was not greatly perturbed.
When the earthquake struck after 2pm on that fateful day he was in his office. The whole room shook for over two minutes. He knew this was a massive earthquake and very serious. He had taken shelter under the table and now wanted to get to his family to check on their safety. Fortunately his school was next to his home where he found his family safe and also sheltering under tables. His wife Myuki, who is Japanese, had been in the car on her way to the bank when the quake hit, she immediately turned her car around and returned to the family house.
It was Myuki who encouraged her husband to get to higher ground. They convinced their elderly neighbours to come with them and so with all the family, two old ladies and a dog he headed towards higher ground. Abdulla did not mention to anyone in the car about the huge monster of water, wood, cars and boats that he could see gaining on them in the rear view mirror. At one point not 50 metres behind them. Finally, they started to gain ground and rise up above the enormous tidal wave of destruction.
This very humble man and his family have lost everything. The Kuwaiti Embassy in Japan paid his airfare and recommended he and his family leave to Kuwait. His eldest son insisted to stay in Japan to help, and hopefully return to his university as soon as possible. Abdulla's other two children are with him here.
It was very hard to know what to say to the children so I gave them big hugs and tried to encourage them about the future. Myuki is so very worried about her family. Her younger children Sara and Kazem want to return to Japan as soon as possible but the uncertainty of the dangers makes that decision very hard. But I do understand that grieving in a group with people who have suffered the same tragic losses is more comforting than being far away from your friends, family and beloved country.
I wish Abdulla and his family well. I hope the Kuwaiti government will extend a helping hand to Abdulla. I pray for Japan.
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