Bahraini family to sleep on the streets after receiving eviction threat

A Bahraini extended family is preparing themselves to sleep on the streets as the Housing Ministry is allegedly planning to take over their house. They say the ministry intends to demolish the building leaving them without shelter.

Mohammed Salem who lives in Hoora on the Exhibition Road, says he is helpless.

He heads the family consisting of his wife and children, two sisters, Sara, a widow, and Shaikha, a disabled, along with two sons of his deceased brother Abdulla.

“Two days before Ramadan we received a letter from the ministry asking to vacate the building within 45 days or else we would be forcibly evicted. We have been living in this building for four generations now,” he told Tribune.   

According to Mohammed, it was around six years ago the ministry decided to acquire the land which hosts the building for a project comprising 14 apartments.

“The officials also told us that we need not vacate the house if we don’t intend to be part of the project,” said Mohammed, adding that the family decided not to vacate the building as they had lived there for generations.

However, Mohammed said he was taken aback when the ministry officials later produced a letter in court which said the family had agreed to be part of the project and is willing to vacate the house. The letter also carried the signatures of Mohammed and his family members.

“Since the 1930s, our family has been living here and we are the fourth generation. The current market value of the property is nearly BD300, 000 and we have all documents proving our ownership,” Said Shaikha Salem.

“We are a poor family. I am a disabled individual and my sister is a widow. Since our father’s death, we have been living together. Where are we supposed to go? After constructing a 14-house complex, what if they give us a small apartment. How can a big family like ours live in a small apartment?”