THE brother of freed hostage Douglas Wood today visited the senior Islamic cleric who travelled to Iraq to try to secure his brother's freedom. Malcolm Wood presented the mufti of Australia, Sheik Taj al-Din al-Hilaly, with a gift at his Sydney home and said his help was greatly appreciated. Australian engineer Douglas Wood, 64, was freed by Iraqi and American soldiers on June 15, after being held hostage for six weeks.Before Mr Wood's release, Sheik al-Hilaly travelled to Iraq to try to negotiate his freedom. "At danger to his life and in ill health he went to Iraq ... (to) help save our brother Douglas," Malcolm Wood said today. "I think it's likely the Sheik's efforts helped immeasurably."
Before joining the mufti and his family for brunch, Malcolm Wood said his brother was still suffering from ill health after his ordeal. "He's okay but he has some health problems," Mr Wood said. "His vision is still very poor and he has severe rheumatoid arthritis." Mr Wood said Douglas was visiting the US, but hoped to meet with the mufti personally to thank him in the future.