Dubai: Support for Gulf News reporter Abbas Al Lawati has been flooding in from his compatriots in Oman and his turbulent experience made the front page of many Omani newspapers.
Abbas was aboard the Turkish boat Mavi Marmara travelling to Gaza as part of the "Freedom Flotilla" when it was attacked by Israeli forces on Monday.
Gulf News lost contact with its reporter for 24 hours after the attack.
Read special coverage of Freedom Flotilla
Gulf News statement on the Israeli attack
Speaking to Gulf News on Wednesday, Al Lawati said he has arrived at the Crowne Plaza Amman in Jordan. He said he is also in contact with his family and the Omani embassy.
Al Lawati said that all of his possessions have been confiscated, including his passport. This means he will be sent to his home country of Oman, although he lives and works in Dubai.
Omani support
Reem Al Madani, read Al Lawati's story and contacted Gulf News with her support. Although she doesn't know Abbas, she thanked Gulf News.
"I'm just an Omani who happened to read his tweets on Twitter and as many Omanis here in Oman we are very worried and wondering about him and his family. Thank you again for the wonderful job you are doing," she wrote in an email.
Other supporters in Oman have been posting messages on his dedicated Facebook group.
Mohammad Jawad Darwish wrote: "May Allah bless you and bring you to Oman safely. You are the hero of Oman."
Comments poured in to the Facebook group page, ever since it was created by friends and family, to allow for updates on his location and safety.
"I'm so proud of you, and every Omani in Muscat is proud of you too. May Allah bring you back safe to your family and to your loved ones," Saif Abullatif wrote.
Jainu Jaffer wrote: "Our proud Omani hero is fine… and will be back to his family and loved ones soon… ABBAS, YOU MAKE US REALLY PROUD."
"Oman is proud of you," Zakariya Almuharrmi added.
The online forum Sibla Oman has also had many posts about Al Lawati. Messages of goodwill from family and friends pack the pages, with some posts telling the story of exactly what happened, including updates.
"He deserves every bit of recognition and credit," one blogger wrote. Another post expressed an interest in interviewing Al Lawati for the forum itself. Every couple of minutes more posts were added, sending messages of hope and thanks in light of his imminent return to Dubai. Another blogger wrote: "He's made Omanis proud."
A dedicated website was also set up on Monday — www.abbasallawati.com — by friends and family. The site contains all the news about the Israeli attack on the "Freedom Flotilla" and is being constantly updated. Visitors are being encouraged to post messages of hope and goodwill for the safe return of Abbas.
