MAKKAH, 5 October 2007 — There are people of this society that are forced to live on sidewalks and underneath bridges simply because they have no one to take care of them.
Most of these people are below the poverty line and some are psychologically ill. Some people Arab News found were abandoned by their families. Although life is tough under the bridge, the charity of people during the month of Ramadan eases their pain and suffering. They wish during this month that their families and loved ones would ask about them or accept them again in the family rather than isolating them. Arab News met a group of homeless people under the bridge to find out about the way they live during Ramadan.
Hassan Al-Ghamdi, 56, said that he has been living under Al-Malaa Bridge because he does not have a house and because his family and sons don’t care about him. He said that he has been living under the bridge for five years.
“I do not have an income and that is why I was forced to live under the bridge,” he said. “My kids stopped asking about me because all of them are now busy with their lives. I used to sleep inside a coffee shop before I came under the bridge. The owner of the coffee shop sold the place and I have been forced to live under the bridge since then.”
He said that he does not receive any social insurance. Al-Ghamdi relies on people’s charity to live. After Asr prayer he goes to a local mosque to wait for the iftar meal. After iftar he goes back to where he lives under the bridge.
“I live on charity,” he said. “If it is money then it is money and if it is food then I do not mind. I have reached a stage where I cannot start over again. Life is tough for people at my age. The last time I remember drinking cold water was a long time ago. I wish if my kids would remember me during this month.”
Muhammad Abdullah, 60, is another homeless man. Abdullah has been alone on the streets for 10 years. “Living on the street is very tough but I have no choice,” he said. “Living under Al-Malaa Bridge is the best for any homeless man because many do-gooders come to this place to donate their charity... The place is known as a location where homeless people gather.”
Like Al-Ghamdi, Abdullah’s family abandoned him. Abdullah relies on people’s charity during this month, which is considered the best month of the year when it comes to free food.
“Hunger is something that I can bear,” he said. “But I cannot bear the neglect from my family that stopped asking about me a long time ago. Ramadan is a month where people review their actions. I wish my family would do that and at least give me a decent place to stay and ask about me every now and then.”
There are homeless people by choice. Muhammad Al-Maroof, 55, came from a middle class family. He decided to abandon his family and live under the bridge by choice. In living under the bridge, Maroof sees a better life than the one he used to live with his family. To him Ramadan is similar to any other day, very tough and difficult to live.
“I am still in contact with my family unlike many of the homeless who are abandoned by their families,” he said. “Here I have many friends and many people like to spend time with me. I stay close to these homeless people because I feel sorry for their difficult situation. I bring food to those that cannot walk to the mosque to have their iftar.”
Residents living near the bridge said that Maroof is a sane man and not mentally ill or poor and that he was out on the street by choice.
Arab News saw an old man sleeping on the sidewalk in Aziziya district. Nobody knows the name of the old man or his background. He sleeps on the sidewalk with a cooking pan and some kitchen appliances. No one could talk to him because he is very violent with people. He smokes heavily and spends most of his time sleeping or looking at pedestrians. Residents near where the man stays urged authorities to find the man’s family. Some people say his brothers abandoned the man. He used to be rich but they deprived him of all his money.
