Family searches Morocco for missing son

Khadir Rabbaj, from Zeist in the Netherlands, and nine volunteers are searching across Morocco for his son, Ouadoud Rabbaj, who disappeared in Tangier, Morocco on July 19th.

The 22-year-old was on vacation with his parents when he went missing. Since then, Khadir has travelled thousands of kilometers, following up on every lead. Khadir and his team distribute flyers with Ouadoud’s photo and contact information in cities and towns throughout Morocco, including Chichaoua in the south.

They have received help from a broad network of family, friends, and acquaintances from cities like Nador, Al Hoceima, and Casablanca. However, Khadir often personally investigates each tip, even travelling long distances based on unconfirmed information. Khadir reports mixed experiences with Moroccan authorities. While police officers often photograph the flyers to share within their groups, he has not received concrete assistance from the government.

He fears Ouadoud may have been caught up in local efforts to move homeless people from cities to the south, particularly in Taroudant. Ouadoud’s family believes his psychological and physical health issues, along with his limited ability to speak Moroccan Arabic, make him especially vulnerable. The Dutch organisation Dar Al Amana, which normally supports orphans in southern Morocco, is now contacting hospitals and care facilities across the country to aid in the search.

Despite the challenges, Khadir remains determined to find his son.