‘Nightmares Keep Me Awake’: Ameen Recalls Final Moments of MT Honour 25 Victims

Ameen bin Shams, a crew member of MT Honour 25, has recounted his terrifying experience aboard the ship when it was hijacked by Somali pirates, in an interview with Dialogue Pakistan.

Ameen said it was his first experience working aboard a ship and that he was deeply worried about his family. He added that he knew the pirates would not release them without receiving money. According to Ameen, the pirates’ leader threatened to kill the crew, leaving them fearing for their lives.

He recalled that Rafiullah, a crew member who later embraced martyrdom, was in the engine room and urged everyone to contact their families one last time. Ameen said he sent a voice note to his family, asking for forgiveness and saying his final goodbyes.

Ameen’s wife, Ayesha, said the voice note arrived on her father-in-law’s phone. She deleted it because she believed his weak heart would make it difficult for him to bear the message. Initially, she thought Ameen might be joking because he was still speaking to them.

Ayesha described the night as extremely distressing, saying she was constantly worried about whether her husband was alive. She added that authorities repeatedly asked the family not to panic and assured them that efforts were underway.

Recounting the confrontation, Ameen said Puntland forces attacked the ship and bullets were passing close to the crew members’ feet. He described Rafiullah as a source of courage who encouraged the others to remain strong despite the danger.

Ameen said the crew began reciting the Kalma as they feared they would be killed. He alleged that one of the pirates, whom he referred to as an Arab, told them to stop reciting and then approached them and opened fire.

During the clashes between the two vessels, three crew members were killed, Ameen said. He added that he was also shot three or four times and was covered in blood.

Ayesha said the family initially received reports that five people had been killed and could not contact anyone for further information. She recalled that the Ansar Burney Trust later shared a video confirming that Ameen had been injured in the firing.

Ameen remembered Rafiullah as a close colleague who was like a brother to him, while he described third engineer Mehmood as a father figure. He said they had shared many good moments while working together.

He also shared an emotional detail about his return home, revealing that he saw his second child for the first time after returning from the voyage, having been away for 10 months.