17 years on, expatriate struggling for citizenship

Manama : Younus Masih, an expatriate from Pakistan since 1977 and a father of 10 children, is struggling to get Bahraini nationality for the past 17 years. 

Younus Masih, who has been in the Kingdom since 1977 applied for a nationality in 2000. According to him, it has been 17 years after he applied for nationality and the family is still struggling to get the citizenship. 

“I have been in the country since 1977. I live here along with my wife and 10 children. We applied for a citizenship in 2000 and since then we are struggling to get the citizenship, the officials keep stalling us and now it has been 17 years,” Younus Masih told DT News.

“We are in a miserable state now as I have devoted my entire life to the country besides I have 10 children to look after. 

The only worry is that what would happen to my children when we are not around,” Younus said.

“My dad just got diagnosed with a kidney problem and once he is retired we will have no place to go. 

Furthermore, my mother is a heart patient. With the rise in medical fee, she has even stopped taking medicines as we are struggling financially,” said Maria Younus Masih, daughter of Younus Masih.

“We have visited the officials several times,” Maria said adding, the only thing the officials tell us is that “we would inform you.”

“We appeal to the officials to give us a reply. We are helpless and my parents are old and ill and tired of waiting,” said Maria, adding that she and her family are desperate and
helpless.