This is a sad story of a citizen and his family, including three children, who has opted to live in a tent 20km deep in the Al Shahaniyah desert in harsh conditions, despite having a decent job.
He has no access to electricity and tap water. But Abdulrahman, who works for a government agency, does not want to go around with a begging bowl, which he finds below his dignity, Al Sharq daily reported.
Abdulrahman admitted that he has a job which fetches him QR11,000 a month, but “I've huge loan to repay.” He had taken QR400,000 from a bank and a major chunk of his salary goes for repayment of the loan.
This situation prompted him to take residence in a tent in the desert, as he could not afford renting a house in the city and the rising cost of living.
In fact, he was living in a house in South Muaither and was paying QR3,000 per month as rent. The building had been demolished by the authorities sometime back following a court order obtained by the landlord. He complains that he was not given sufficient notice for evacuation. To this date the concerned authorities have not been able to find a proper shelter to accommodate Abdulrahman and his family.
“The court did not give me enough time for arranging a decent accommodation for my family,”he added.
With the prevailing high rentals, he failed to find an affordable house for rent. “To maintain my dignity, I preferred to pitch a tent in the desert rather than embarrassing myself by seeking help from anybody,” he said.
To face the extreme temperature of the the desert, he bought a generator on installment for operating air conditioners and lights.
“I own a piece of land in Rowdat Al Hammam near Losail, but the area lacks basic infrastructure. There are no roads in the locality,” he said.
The family has been living in the tent for over two months. “Life is hard over here, but I have no other option,” lamented Abdulrahman.
Who is at fault – Abdulrahman, the landlord or the authorities?
The Pen
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