E-Paper
Sign In
Missing Bangladeshi expat found safe after disappearing in Ajman on Ramadan eve
He was last seen on February 17 at a grocery store wearing a traditional South Asian garment resembling a long skirt and a white shirt
- PUBLISHED: Sat 21 Feb 2026, 3:22 PM UPDATED: Sun 22 Feb 2026, 2:14 PM
A Bangladeshi expat missing in Ajman for almost five days was found on Saturday night, February 21, his employer confirmed to Khaleej Times. The 56-year-old expat, MD Surooq Mia, disappeared in the emirate on the night of Ramadan eve, Tuesday, February 17, where he has been working for the past 15 years.
According to his employer, Surooq had left his accommodation in Ajman’s industrial area and was not found until 8.30pm on Saturday. His family, employer Shehzaad, and colleagues had made a desperate plea to find him.
Recommended For You
"He is safe and sound now, but quite stressed. At the moment, he is resting and will return to work whenever he is ready. I have not given him any deadline," said his employer, Shehzaad. Surooq, who works as a car washer for Shehzaad’s company, was last seen on CCTV at a nearby grocery store around 9.28pm, wearing a lungi (a traditional South Asian garment resembling a long skirt) and a white shirt.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels
His employer had earlier told Khaleej Times that after completing his shift, Surooq had returned to his accommodation, sent money home, taken a shower, and had dinner. His roommate informed that Surooq carried only Dh100 in his pocket and left all his personal belongings, including his Emirates ID, passport, and clothes, at home.
“We trust him a lot. Before going missing, he had remitted money back home, which his family confirmed they received,” said Shehzaad, an Indian expat running the family business. His employer said there were no known reasons for him to leave voluntarily.
"His room is about 800 metres from the market where our company is. We are located near Ajman's 'lucky roundabout' in the industrial area,” Shehzaad added.
Surooq’s family in Bangladesh includes his wife, two sons, a daughter, and a grandchild, while his only relative in the UAE is a working son-in-law. His youngest son, 16-year-old MD Shariful Islam, confirmed that he last spoke to his father between 11.15pm and 11.17pm Bangladesh time (9.15pm-9.17pm UAE time) on the night his father went missing.
“My father told me he had to go to the market, so I hung up the phone,” Shariful told Khaleej Times.
In the days following his disappearance, Shehzaad and his employees had conducted their own search. They checked local police stations, including Ajman Industrial Area Police Station, Hamidiya Police Station, and the Ajman Immigration Office, but found no trace of him. Authorities informed them that a missing person’s report can only be filed after seven days.
“After iftar, his colleagues have been going around trying to find him every day and inquiring about his whereabouts. The day he went missing, he didn’t have his Emirates ID on him,” Shehzaad added.
The employer had sent Surooq's family a copy of his ID in case he wasn't found soon, and they need further help from local authorities.
Apart from being a passive smoker, Shehzaad said Surooq is generally in good health. He described Surooq as frail, estimating his weight at around 50 kg and his height at approximately 4 ft 8 inches.
Prior to his return, his family and employer were anxious and hoped for any information that could lead to his safe return. Surooq's son, Shariful Islam, said, “He last visited Bangladesh in August 2023. We haven't seen him since then. We hope he is found soon."
