It’s been two years since Majd Kamalmaz was detained in Syria. On Sunday, family of the UA Little Rock graduate traveled to the State Capitol as they continue work to bring him home.
“This two years has been the two most difficult years in my life,” his wife Hasna Kamalmaz said.
Majd, 61, is a U.S. citizen who was born in Syria. He worked as a counselor and humanitarian.
“He's a very humble, selfless person that would take off his jacket and put it on you,” his daughter Maryam said.
Majd traveled to the Syrian Capitol on February 14, 2017 to visit family members following his father-in-law’s death. Maryam said her father was last seen at a check point the following day.
“We don't know why he's being held. We assume it must be some kind of mistake,” she said.
The family has worked quietly with the U.S. State Department following Majd’s disappearance -- fearing that attention could risk his safety.
“We’ve kind of come to a stop,” Maryam said. “We’re still in contact with them. We still take their advice, but there’s not much they can do beyond that.”
The family is now speaking publicly in hopes of reaching President Donald Trump. They sent the president a letter in October, pleading for his assistance in getting Kamalmaz out of Syria. They told CBS News the White House received the letter, but the president has not responded.
The family’s public appeal brought them from Dallas to the State Capitol on Sunday. They met with supporters from the Wisdom House Project and Congressman French Hill, who has pledged his support.
“Every minute, we're going to work for him to come back,” Hasna said. “We're not going to stop. We're not going to relax until he comes home.”