Bahrain Mirror: The Saudi authorities began the process of demolishing the historic Al-Masora neighborhood in the town of Awamiyah in Qatif. The neighborhood dates back to 400 years and is resided by about 2000 people.

The authorities had taken a decision to demolish the neighborhood within what it described as comprehensive plan to develop it. They also paid compensations to the owners of the buildings to be demolished.

Residents said that the compensations specified to the families are insufficient amid the current economic situation.

Saudi activist Ali Adubisi described the measures taken by the authorities as "crime". He said on his own Twitter account "cutting off the electricity in the neighborhood since 4 days is a crime committed by Saudi Arabia against poor families. The government left many families without alternative accommodation."

The electricity cut off made the mosques in Awamiyah take action to accommodate a number of old and sick people. Information indicated that the authorities deprived several parts of the neighborhood from water, which forced a number of families to leave their houses.

Not only did the authorities refuse to help the damaged people, but they also stopped a funding campaign launched by Awamiyah charity organization to help the damaged families. The organization announced in a statement that it stopped the cash money and apartments contribution that seek to mitigate the sufferings of Al-Masora families based on official decision.

"The Saudi government's plan to demolish the Al-Masora neighborhood demonstrates its disregard for historic and cultural sites," Husain Abdulla, the Executive Director of Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain said. "Saudi Arabia has obliterated countless priceless artifacts and cultural sites."

The Saudi decision stirred a wave of angry reactions on Twitter, as tweeters shed the light on the historic importance of the neighborhood, calling on the authorities to take good care of it rather than demolishing it.

One of the tweeters commented saying that Al-Masora neighborhood is older than the Saudi government. It is a history that should remain, he further stated.

Arabic Version