MAKKAH – The Al-Ashraf neighborhood here has become a rundown place where garbage piles up and streets and buildings remain in a bad condition, according to local residents. Most of the neighborhood's citizens have moved to other areas, leaving behind old and dilapidated homes that are being rented out to expatriates, some of whom are illegals and without any identification papers. The area is completely in control of illegal expatriates who, more often than not, engage in illicit business and burglary, several former residents of the neighborhood claimed. Saleh Awadh, a citizen, said his family lived in the neighborhood for years but after his father's death, they moved out. He only comes to the area to tend to his grocery store. He pointed to an abandoned lot near his store, which he said was being used as a garbage dump, attracting insects, rodents, stray dogs and cats. He claimed that garbage has piled up there for years and the municipality has removed the rubbish only once. He added the municipality should also spray insecticides to combat flies, mosquitoes and other insects. "The streets are narrow and we have to pay SR60 to cleaning workers to move the garbage to the municipality garbage dump, where it is collected by sanitation trucks," he said. Sultan Saeed, a citizen, claimed expatriates gather after sunset and conduct suspicious deals and plan criminal activities. He added the neighborhood is in dire need of development, but without inflicting any harm to low-income residents. Adel Al-Hakami, a citizen, said the streets are very narrow, barely enough for plying a small car. He pointed to a building under the care of an expatriate who rents the apartments out to anyone without examining their identification papers. Ahmad Al-Jaber, another citizen, said the neighborhood streets need lighting and regular cleaning and warned that garbage is a source of diseases for children playing outside.
