A Libyan-Egyptian man abducted as a child has reunited with his biological family after 43 years, in a case that has captured widespread public attention across social media.
Known publicly as “Islam,” the man revealed in a live broadcast that his original name is Mohammed, confirming his identity after DNA tests proved his connection to a Libyan-Egyptian family. The breakthrough ended decades of uncertainty following his abduction in Alexandria during childhood.
Islam discovered that he belongs to a large family of 20 siblings, including 11 sisters and nine brothers, born to a Libyan father and Egyptian mother. The family had previously lived in the Amreya district of Alexandria before returning to Libya after losing hope of finding their missing son.
The emotional reunion was shared online, where Islam appeared alongside several of his siblings, celebrating what many described as a life-changing moment. He expressed shock and overwhelming emotions upon receiving the DNA results, saying he struggled to process whether to feel joy or disbelief.
The case recently gained renewed attention following the release of the drama series Hekayet Nargis, which highlighted his story and helped bring it back into the public spotlight. Social media users credited the show with raising awareness and contributing to the renewed search efforts.
Egyptian actress Riham Abdel Ghafour, who starred in the series, also celebrated the reunion publicly, adding to the wave of reactions online.
Islam, who was born on 18 April, said he intends to keep his current name while embracing his original identity and reconnecting with his roots.
The story has been widely described as a rare and emotional example of long-lost family reunification, underscoring the growing role of DNA testing and media in solving decades-old cases.
