Dubai: A 21-year-old Emirati student on a scholarship in the US, who became an instant hero on media three months ago for saving a young woman who was robbed after being knocked down by a car, has been hospitalised in the US after falling very ill.
Details about Khalifa Al Maamari’s illness are still not clear. Pictures of Al Maamari were reposted on Instagram, Twitter and social networks, showing him on life support and in very serious condition.
There was an outpouring of support and prayers on social networks following the incident with thousands still curious to know what had happened to him.
His brother, Rashid Al Maamari, posted a video of him three days ago on Al Maamari’s account showing Al Maamari in bed in hospital, unable to speak properly. A caption said “I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay and I want to thank you all for asking about me and want to thank Ahlam [an Emirati singer] for asking about me. She lifted up my spirit.”
The caption also said, “I don’t want anyone to worry about me. God is with me. I want to delete this video because I don’t want you to see me in this situation.”
Renowned Emirati singer Ahlam, with 3.2 million followers on Instagram and 4.7 million followers on Twitter, was among the many people who called on her followers to pray for Al Maamari two days ago.
Gulf News spoke to Al Maamari’s friend, Ali, who is studying with Al Maamari in the US, and he said that Al Maamari’s symptoms show that he might have heart problems, which have been blocking oxygen to his brain. He also said that Al Maamari had fallen sick before for the same condition.
Ali said that Al Maamari is currently hospitalised in Houston, Texas.
Al Maamari’s brother, Rashid, set up a SnapChat account, a photo-video messaging app, so that people can learn more about the status of his brother’s health.
“My brother is doing better today. I just spoke to him. He says hello to all of you, but he still needs your prayers.”
Al Maamari recently became very popular on Instagram with 813,000 followers who admired his sense of humour and charisma. Lots of support and prayers are still pouring in
A hashtag in his name is currently trending while people await news of what happened to him.
