Abubacker Madathil (45), who went blind due to a medical condition called diabetic retinopathy, left Saudi Arabia at the weekend. The Indian worker who arrived in Saudi Arabia on a house-driver's visa, was desperate to go home, particularly after losing his eyesight. Saudi Gazette reported Abubacker's plight on May 10. Since he had no legal documents such as passport and Iqama (residence permit), Abubacker's early departure from Saudi Arabia seemed to be a remote possibility. Abubacker, a chronic diabetic patient who arrived in Riyadh a year ago to work as a driver, lost vision in both of his eyes two weeks ago. He said he was relieved of pain and tribulation after hearing that his sponsor had agreed to let him go home. “I am happy to hear that my sponsor extended all possible help to get me an exit-only visa from the Passports Department,” Abubacker said. However, Abubacker left Saudi Arabia on an emergency exit (EC) document, which is a certificate issued by the Indian Embassy. Abubacker said he was lucky to have received cooperation from his sponsor which enabled him to leave the Kingdom without delay. “I did not expect to depart for India so soon,” he said before boarding an Air India flight at King Khaled International Airport (KKIA). Abubacker's early departure from Saudi Arabia was made possible after Mohammed Kutty Vallappuzha, Abdulrahman Salahi and Abdul Razzak Salahi, all members of the Office of Call and Guidance in Batha, downtown Riyadh and Rafi Pangodu, treasurer Federation of Keralite Associations in Saudi Arabia (Fokasa), persuaded the sponsor to let Abubacker leave Saudi Arabia on medical grounds. Fokasa also paid for the air ticket. Abubacker said he was indebted to New Safa Makkah Polyclinic which offered him free medical treatment. He also thanked Saudi Gazette for highlighting his case.
