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My Son the Doctor

Based on the testimony of Fatima Khan, the real-life story of one mother's heroic journey to find and save her son, Dr Abbas Khan, from imprisonment in Damascus.

This is the real-life story of one mother's courageous journey to find and save her son.

In late 2012, orthopaedic surgeon Dr Abbas Khan left his home to treat fleeing victims of the Syrian conflict on the Turkish border. Three weeks later, his family received news that he was missing, after having crossed the border to work in a hospital in Aleppo.

Abbas' family struggled to get the Foreign Office to take action, and dealt with smears suggesting that Abbas had instead volunteered to fight. Finally his mother Fatima decided they would have to travel to Syria themselves.

Her children were UK nationals and couldn't get visas, but Fatima's joint Indian nationality gave her alone the chance to go.

So she went alone.

Based on Fatima Khan's testimony, this adaptation for Radio 4 is by Saleyha Ahsan with Sudha Bhuchar, who also stars as Fatima Khan.

Produced and directed by Jonquil Panting.

45 minutes

Credits

RoleContributor
Fatima KhanSudha Bhuchar
Abbas KhanWaleed Akhtar
Sara KhanLara Sawalha
Afroze KhanAdam El Hagar
Shahnawaz KhanAmir El-Masry
FCO OfficialBadria Timimi
IdrisWaleed Elgadi
MahjoubPeter Polycarpou
RanaAmber Aga
CoronerPhilip Bretherton
DirectorJonquil Panting
ProducerJonquil Panting
WriterSaleyha Ahsan
WriterSudha Bhuchar

Broadcast

  • Thu 29 Mar 201814:15

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