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Dubai: The desperate hunt for a four-year-old girl who was snatched from her hotel room in Portugal has reached the UAE.
Little Madeleine McCann from Rothley in Leicestershire in the UK disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on Thursday May 3.
She is believed to have been taken from her bed while her parents were eating at a nearby restaurant, but so far there is no trace of her.
An emotional chain-type e-mail sent by her uncle, Phil McCann, to everyone in his address book, has this week reached the UAE.
Already read by thousands of residents across the country, Phil urged the people of Dubai and other emirates to forward the e-mail onto family, friends and work colleagues in the hope it will help in the hunt for his niece.
He said: "As you are aware my niece is still missing and I am asking everyone I know to send this as a chain letter to everyone they know.
"Ask them to do the same as the story is really only being covered in Britain, Scotland and Portugal. We don't believe that Madeleine is in Portugal anymore and need to get her picture and the story across the world as quickly as possible."
A similar chain e-mail has also reached the UAE from a family friend of the McCann's, Pat Perkins.
She says: "On behalf of Kate and Gerry McCann and all the family, please help us find Madeleine.
"The search must spread across the world and we are pleased to have reached as far as Dubai and the UAE so quickly.
"Someone out there will have some information that will lead to Maddy's return. The internet can be a powerful tool in finding Maddy, who is so loved and missed by us all ... We need your help and we know you won't let Maddy down."
How to help
On May 16, nearly two weeks after Madeleine's disappearance, Madeleine's family launched the Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned appeal.
The funds will be used to help find Madeleine McCann, support her family and bring her abductors to justice.
Internet donations can be made into the following account, and will be processed free of charge: 'Madeleine's Fund: Leaving No Stone Unturned', Sort Code 60 40 05, Account Number 32130058.
Her most distinguishing feature is a dark line on the iris of her right eye.
She was wearing pink and white pyjamas with Eeyore on them when she was taken.
If you have any information, please pass it on to Crime Stoppers in the UK by calling +44 1883 731336.
Details of how to donate or for more information about the appeal visit www.findmadeleine.com
The campaign to trace Madeleine has seen footage of her screened at the FA Cup Final on Saturday, appeals from celebrities and stars from the sporting world as well as a fighting appeal fund to aid the cost of the worldwide search.
The amount raised is now 184,000 pounds (about Dh1,332,273) with money collected by banks, building societies and cheques yet to clear.
A website set up to find the four-year old has received more than 58 million hits and rewards of 2.5 million pounds have been offered to anyone with information leading to the four-year-old's safe return. Multinational companies are supporting the efforts to spread Madeleine's image across the world.
Have your say
What do you think about the global hunt for missing Madeleine? Do you believe she will be found?
Your comments
She will be found.
Ruel
Dubai,UAE
Is this true?
Rajesh
Dubai,UAE
I think Madeleine will be found safe and well in around another 4-5 weeks. I think she was taken by someone wanting a child. Here's fingers crossed.
Robyn
Harwood Is.,Australia
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very difficult time. Please know that the word is being spread throughout the United States and we will find Maddie!!
Heather
San Diego, CA,USA
We have to believe and pray that Madeleine will be found safe and sound. The alternative is just unthinkable.
Fiona
Brisbane,Australia
I really hope you find little Maddy. My school are praying for you. Hoping she?s safe and still alive. I have my fingers crossed that you do find her or someone will come forward with any information about her and where she is. I hope you get her back. Please keep looking and do not give up. She had her whole life ahead of her and what kind of person would want to take her. Its not right.
Nicole
Newcastle,Europe
She is missing ok we are very sad about it. But what about the fund? Is it a new kind of business? Let the police do their job.
Pearla
Dubai,UAE
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