Tom Uzhunnalil - Revision history

CleanupBot: /* Kidnapping */clean up, typos fixed: March 4, 2016 → March 4, 2016,

2021-06-30T17:45:42Z

Kidnapping: clean up, typos fixed: March 4, 2016 → March 4, 2016,

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:15, 30 June 2021
Line 16:		Line 16:

	=== Kidnapping ===		=== Kidnapping ===
	Tom Uzhunnilal was present on March 4, 2016 when four unidentified gunmen attacked a care home in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, killing 16 people including four [[Missionaries of Charity]] sisters of [[Mother Teresa]]. The attackers, described as [[ISIS]] affiliates or general terrorists, took Uzhunnalil hostage.<ref name="Harris September 2017" /> There were around 80 residents at the home at the time of the attack. Prior to the attack, Uzhunnalil had been working for more than four years as a chaplain at the home in southern Yemen.<ref name=toi>{{cite web\|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/amp_articleshow/60478243.cms\|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/09/12/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued.html\|title=Freed from terrorists in Yemen, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Rome\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vatican-secures-release-of-kidnapped-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil/article19670934.ece\|title=Vatican secures release of kidnapped Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil\|first=Suhasini\|last=Haidar\|date=12 September 2017\|publisher=\|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sushma-swaraj-says-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-abducted-in-yemen-rescued-from-islamic-states-captivity-4035457.html/amp\|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State's captivity after Oman's intervention\|website=www.firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/photo-fr-tom-uzhunallil-feared-captive-yemen-emerges-family-relieved-he-alive-46803\|title=Photo of Fr Tom Uzhunalil feared captive in Yemen emerges, family relieved he is alive\|date=20 July 2016\|publisher=}}</ref> Though there were initial news reports that Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday in 2016, the Indian government released an official statement declaring that Uzhunnalil was alive.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-crucified-on-good-friday-how-father-tom-uzhunnalil-came-back-from-dead-2545021\|title='Crucified' on Good Friday, how Father Tom Uzhunnalil came back from dead - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis\|date=12 September 2017\|publisher=}}</ref> A ransom video was sent by the kidnappers to the Indian government, demanding ₹64 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ransom-video-catholic-priest-kidnapped-yemen-isis-islamic-extermists-a6958496.html\|title=Ransom video 'demands millions' for kidnapped Catholic priest\|date=29 March 2016\|publisher=}}</ref>		Tom Uzhunnilal was present on March 4, 2016, when four unidentified gunmen attacked a care home in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, killing 16 people including four [[Missionaries of Charity]] sisters of [[Mother Teresa]]. The attackers, described as [[ISIS]] affiliates or general terrorists, took Uzhunnalil hostage.<ref name="Harris September 2017" /> There were around 80 residents at the home at the time of the attack. Prior to the attack, Uzhunnalil had been working for more than four years as a chaplain at the home in southern Yemen.<ref name=toi>{{cite web\|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/amp_articleshow/60478243.cms\|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/09/12/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued.html\|title=Freed from terrorists in Yemen, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Rome\|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vatican-secures-release-of-kidnapped-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil/article19670934.ece\|title=Vatican secures release of kidnapped Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil\|first=Suhasini\|last=Haidar\|date=12 September 2017\|publisher=\|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sushma-swaraj-says-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-abducted-in-yemen-rescued-from-islamic-states-captivity-4035457.html/amp\|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State's captivity after Oman's intervention\|website=www.firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/photo-fr-tom-uzhunallil-feared-captive-yemen-emerges-family-relieved-he-alive-46803\|title=Photo of Fr Tom Uzhunalil feared captive in Yemen emerges, family relieved he is alive\|date=20 July 2016\|publisher=}}</ref> Though there were initial news reports that Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday in 2016, the Indian government released an official statement declaring that Uzhunnalil was alive.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-crucified-on-good-friday-how-father-tom-uzhunnalil-came-back-from-dead-2545021\|title='Crucified' on Good Friday, how Father Tom Uzhunnalil came back from dead - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis\|date=12 September 2017\|publisher=}}</ref> A ransom video was sent by the kidnappers to the Indian government, demanding ₹64 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ransom-video-catholic-priest-kidnapped-yemen-isis-islamic-extermists-a6958496.html\|title=Ransom video 'demands millions' for kidnapped Catholic priest\|date=29 March 2016\|publisher=}}</ref>

	In May 2017, Father Uzhunnalil made an emotional appeal for a rescue through a five-minute video that was posted on YouTube, asking the Indian government and the Pope to make effort for his release. Uzhunnalil was released into Omani custody on 12 September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Uzhunnalil thanked [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]], the Sultan of Oman, for his attention in negotiating his release.<ref>{{cite news\|author1=Times News Service\|title=Indian priest thanks His Majesty after rescue from Yemen\|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/116966/Oman/Kidnapped-Indian-priest-Tom-Uzhunnalil-free--mdash-thanks-to-Oman\|work=[[Times of Oman]]\|date=12 September 2017}}</ref> According to the Indian Union Minister, no ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-ransom-paid-for-release-of-father-uzhunnalil-govt/articleshow/60494817.cms\|title=No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt - Times of India\|publisher=}}</ref> He returned to India after his release and met with the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=firstpos>http://www.firstpost.com/india/may-god-bless-all-even-my-abductors-father-tom-uzhunnalil-meets-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-4090151.html</ref> Uzhunnalil was quoted as saying, "May God bless all, even my abductors, for all the goodness in them."<ref name=firstpos/> He clarified that ISIS had given him food and didn't harm him physically.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/india/isis-gave-me-food-didnt-harm-me-physically-father-tom-uzhunnalil-2046290.html</ref>		In May 2017, Father Uzhunnalil made an emotional appeal for a rescue through a five-minute video that was posted on YouTube, asking the Indian government and the Pope to make effort for his release. Uzhunnalil was released into Omani custody on 12 September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Uzhunnalil thanked [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]], the Sultan of Oman, for his attention in negotiating his release.<ref>{{cite news\|author1=Times News Service\|title=Indian priest thanks His Majesty after rescue from Yemen\|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/116966/Oman/Kidnapped-Indian-priest-Tom-Uzhunnalil-free--mdash-thanks-to-Oman\|work=[[Times of Oman]]\|date=12 September 2017}}</ref> According to the Indian Union Minister, no ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-ransom-paid-for-release-of-father-uzhunnalil-govt/articleshow/60494817.cms\|title=No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt - Times of India\|publisher=}}</ref> He returned to India after his release and met with the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=firstpos>http://www.firstpost.com/india/may-god-bless-all-even-my-abductors-father-tom-uzhunnalil-meets-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-4090151.html</ref> Uzhunnalil was quoted as saying, "May God bless all, even my abductors, for all the goodness in them."<ref name=firstpos/> He clarified that ISIS had given him food and didn't harm him physically.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/india/isis-gave-me-food-didnt-harm-me-physically-father-tom-uzhunnalil-2046290.html</ref>

Hembram Bakhul: Create new page Tom Uzhunnalil.

2021-06-29T23:21:33Z

Create new page Tom Uzhunnalil.

New page

{{short description|Indian Catholic priest (born 1960)}}
{{Infobox religious biography
| name = Thomas Uzhunnalil<ref>http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/catholic-priest-released-after-18-months-captivity</ref>
| birth_place = [[Ramapuram, Kottayam|Ramapuram]], [[India]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued-from-islamic-state-captivity-kins-flock-into-ramapuram-await-reunion-4036107.html|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State captivity: Kin flock into Ramapuram, await reunion|date=12 September 2017|publisher=}}</ref>
| religion = [[Roman Catholic]]
| image = Los padres Tom Uzhunnalil y George Muttathuparambil han compartido su experiencia como religiosos en Yemen.jpg
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1960}}<ref name=herald/>
| nationality = Indian<ref name=khaleej/>
| institute = [[Salesian of Don Bosco]], [[Missionaries of Charity]]<ref name=radio/>
| predecessor = Mathew Uzhunnalil<ref name=khaleej/>
}}
'''Tom Uzhunnalil SDB''' is an [[India]]n [[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|Catholic priest]] who is a [[Salesian of Don Bosco]] and a member of [[Missionaries of Charity]].<ref name=radio>{{cite web|url=http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2016/03/05/southern_arabia_bishop_mc_nuns_killed_for_religious_motives/1213360|title=Southern Arabia bishop: MC nuns killed for religious motives|publisher=}}</ref> He was kidnapped in March 2016 and held by terrorists in [[Yemen]], before being released in September 2017 with the intervention of [[Oman]] and the [[Catholic Church]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/articleshow/60478243.cms|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India|work=The Times of India|access-date=2017-09-13}}</ref>

==Life==
Tom Uzhunnilal is a native of [[Kerala]] and a [[Salesian of Don Bosco]].<ref name="Harris September 2017">{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/amp/news/father-tom-uzhunalill-has-been-released-is-back-in-india-99296/|title=Father Tom Uzhunnalil has been released, is headed to India|last1=Harris|first1=Elise|date=12 September 2017|website=www.catholicnewsagency.com|publisher=[[Catholic News Agency]]}}</ref> He has been working as a chaplain in Yemen since 2010, replacing his elder brother Mathew Uzhunnalil,<ref name=herald>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2016/04/08/brother-of-kidnapped-priest-is-staying-at-home-to-pray-and-wait-for-good-news/|title=Brother of kidnapped priest is staying at home to pray and wait for ‘good news’ - CatholicHerald.co.uk|date=8 April 2016|publisher=}}</ref> who had served for more than 17 years.<ref name=khaleej/><ref name=toi/> He had returned to India for a brief period in 2015 and went back despite a travel ban enforced in 2015 that prevented Indians from travelling to Yemen.<ref name=khaleej>{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/news/general/relatives-still-wait-for-father-tom-uzhunnalils-return-to-safety|title=Why Father Tom went to Yemen despite India’s travel curbs?|first=Ashwani|last=Kumar|website=www.khaleejtimes.com}}</ref> Uzhunnalil has also been to Abu Dhabi on numerous occasions, one of them being the Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia Bishop Paul Hinder, based at St Joseph's Cathedral.<ref name=khaleej/> He is a direct representative of Bishop Paul Hinder and the only priest working in Yemen on priesthood visa, as of 2016.<ref name=khaleej/>

=== Kidnapping ===
Tom Uzhunnilal was present on March 4, 2016 when four unidentified gunmen attacked a care home in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, killing 16 people including four [[Missionaries of Charity]] sisters of [[Mother Teresa]]. The attackers, described as [[ISIS]] affiliates or general terrorists, took Uzhunnalil hostage.<ref name="Harris September 2017" /> There were around 80 residents at the home at the time of the attack. Prior to the attack, Uzhunnalil had been working for more than four years as a chaplain at the home in southern Yemen.<ref name=toi>{{cite web|url=http://m.timesofindia.com/india/abducted-father-toms-release-secured-by-oman/amp_articleshow/60478243.cms|title=Indian priest abducted by ISIS in Yemen rescued: Sushma Swaraj - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2017/09/12/kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-rescued.html|title=Freed from terrorists in Yemen, Fr Tom Uzhunnalil reaches Rome|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/vatican-secures-release-of-kidnapped-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil/article19670934.ece|title=Vatican secures release of kidnapped Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil|first=Suhasini|last=Haidar|date=12 September 2017|publisher=|via=www.thehindu.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/sushma-swaraj-says-kerala-priest-tom-uzhunnalil-abducted-in-yemen-rescued-from-islamic-states-captivity-4035457.html/amp|title=Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil rescued from Islamic State's captivity after Oman's intervention|website=www.firstpost.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/photo-fr-tom-uzhunallil-feared-captive-yemen-emerges-family-relieved-he-alive-46803|title=Photo of Fr Tom Uzhunalil feared captive in Yemen emerges, family relieved he is alive|date=20 July 2016|publisher=}}</ref> Though there were initial news reports that Uzhunnalil was crucified on Good Friday in 2016, the Indian government released an official statement declaring that Uzhunnalil was alive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-crucified-on-good-friday-how-father-tom-uzhunnalil-came-back-from-dead-2545021|title='Crucified' on Good Friday, how Father Tom Uzhunnalil came back from dead - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=12 September 2017|publisher=}}</ref> A ransom video was sent by the kidnappers to the Indian government, demanding ₹64 [[crore]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/ransom-video-catholic-priest-kidnapped-yemen-isis-islamic-extermists-a6958496.html|title=Ransom video 'demands millions' for kidnapped Catholic priest|date=29 March 2016|publisher=}}</ref>

In May 2017, Father Uzhunnalil made an emotional appeal for a rescue through a five-minute video that was posted on YouTube, asking the Indian government and the Pope to make effort for his release. Uzhunnalil was released into Omani custody on 12 September 2017.<ref name=":0" /> Uzhunnalil thanked [[Qaboos bin Said al Said]], the Sultan of Oman, for his attention in negotiating his release.<ref>{{cite news|author1=Times News Service|title=Indian priest thanks His Majesty after rescue from Yemen|url=http://timesofoman.com/article/116966/Oman/Kidnapped-Indian-priest-Tom-Uzhunnalil-free--mdash-thanks-to-Oman|work=[[Times of Oman]]|date=12 September 2017}}</ref> According to the Indian Union Minister, no ransom was paid for his release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/no-ransom-paid-for-release-of-father-uzhunnalil-govt/articleshow/60494817.cms|title=No ransom paid for release of Kerala priest Tom Uzhunnalil: Govt - Times of India|publisher=}}</ref> He returned to India after his release and met with the Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]].<ref name=firstpos>http://www.firstpost.com/india/may-god-bless-all-even-my-abductors-father-tom-uzhunnalil-meets-narendra-modi-sushma-swaraj-in-new-delhi-4090151.html</ref> Uzhunnalil was quoted as saying, "May God bless all, even my abductors, for all the goodness in them."<ref name=firstpos/> He clarified that ISIS had given him food and didn't harm him physically.<ref>http://zeenews.india.com/india/isis-gave-me-food-didnt-harm-me-physically-father-tom-uzhunnalil-2046290.html</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uzhunnalil, Tom}}
[[Category:21st-century Indian Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:1960 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Salesians of Don Bosco]]
[[Category:Indian expatriates in Yemen]]
[[Category:Kidnappings in Yemen]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian Roman Catholic priests]]