#SaveRayan: Rescue of Five Year-Old Boy Garners International Attention

As Moroccans continue to wait with bated breath for the moment of five year-old Rayan’s rescue, the little boy’s case has traveled beyond the country’s borders and started to garner international attention.

Rabat – As Moroccans continue to wait with bated breath for the moment of five year-old Rayan’s rescue, the little boy’s case has traveled beyond the country’s borders and started to garner international attention.

The Arabic hashtag #SaveRayan has dominated social media trends in the Arab world over the past few days, being the most posted hashtag on Twitter in Algeria, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, among others.

The official account for the Two Holy Mosques in Saudi Arabia also tweeted in support of the boy. “Oh Allah! Protect and save Rayan and return him to his parents safe and sound,” the post read.

Oh Allah! Protect and save #Rayan and return him to his parents safe and sound pic.twitter.com/HXp8flVOZY

— Haramain Sharifain (@hsharifain) February 4, 2022

Regional media organizations have also extensively covered the subject, with Al Jazeera’s live feed channel broadcasting the rescue operations as it approaches its final stages.

Several commenters from Morocco and other countries expressed that the situation and the level of interaction, shows a unity among Arab countries.

Notably, Algerian figures and news providers also talked about Rayan’s plight, expressing sympathy and wishes for the boy to be recovered safely.

Algerian footballer Riyad Mahrez posted a picture expressing solidarity on his Facebook page story, while singer Ahlam Mostghanmi said on Twitter: “God show us the miracles of your kindness.”

ياربي دخيلك أرنا فيه معجزات لطفك ? https://t.co/jh6AksS3sJ

— أحلام مستغانمي (@AhlamMostghanmi) February 3, 2022

Internationally, several big news outlets such as the BBC and The Guardian have been covering the incident, writing similarly about the wave of solidarity expressed on social media.

International organizations have also joined with calls to help the boy, with UNICEF posting on Twitter: “Our hearts are with the little Rayan. We hope he returns safely to his family.”