During the entire 1,069 days that he was held captive by Al-Qaeda terrorists in Yemen, Abdullah Al-Khalidi continued to believe that he would return to the Kingdom, dead or alive. He is thankful to have made it back in good health and is set to resume working at the Foreign Ministry, according to a report in a local publication Thursday.

Al-Khalidi is somewhat of a celebrity in his hometown of Umm Al-Sahik, in the west of Qatif. There are pictures of him plastered all over the town, either alone or with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muqrin, deputy premier.

The other prominent photograph of Al-Khalidi features him with Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, who had welcomed him back warmly. Many citizens in the Eastern Province have traveled to the town to see the photographs.

There was a great deal of celebrating in Umm Al-Sahik on Tuesday and Wednesday, with fireworks lighting up the skies and the sound of drums being pounded to mark the occasion.

In a tent near the family house, Al-Khalidi and members of his family stood welcoming well-wishers. It was as if he was about to get married. There was no indication that he had just been released from captivity.

Al-Khalidi was a diplomat in Manila, in the Philippines, before being transferred to Aden as a consul, where he spent three years organizing visas for visitors and Umrah and Haj pilgrims. He was kidnapped in front of his home in the district of Mansoura on March 28, 2012, while preparing to travel to work.

He has refused to provide details of his ordeal in Yemen or the circumstances of his release. However, he has repeatedly said that he is grateful to God and the government for freeing him.

He said that he would forever be in debt to the government for helping to secure his freedom. This would serve as “a strong incentive for me to serve my country.”

King Salman has awarded Al-Khalidi the King Abdul Aziz Medal of the Third Order, and given him a house.