A grieving son’s burden

When Yousif Khan’s father was killed during a robbery while on holiday in Pakistan it started a downwards spiral in his life.

Yousif Khan needs help to pay off the rent on his Dubai home. The murder of his father in Pakistan has left his heir in a legal and financial minefield. Victor Besa for The National

When Yousif Khan's father was killed by robbers, the last thing the family needed was a battle for the roof over their heads, but that is the cruel legacy of a heinous act, Shireena Al Nowais writes

DUBAI // When Yousif Khan’s father was killed in a robbery while on holiday in Pakistan, it started a downwards spiral in Yousif’s life.

“My father was withdrawing money from a bank when some men saw him. They followed him into a mosque and as my father was walking out, they shot him in the head and robbed him,” says Mr Khan, 39.

Today, he says he wishes he was dead after being saddled with his father’s debts.

His father owed Dh127,000 on the family home in Dubai, which they cannot not afford.

“After we mourned our father’s death we were surprised to find the landlord asking us to pay over a year’s worth of rent,” says Mr Khan, the eldest of five siblings.

“Because I couldn’t pay, the court took my passport.”

Mr Khan works for a transport company and earns Dh4,000 a month, but he could lose his job because his rent was not paid.

“The company is moving and are demanding my passport so they can either transfer or cancel my visa.”

Dubai courts told Mr Khan that he cannot have his passport until he pays the rent.

“The company said that they will report me for absconding if I don’t get them my original passport and have already suspended my salary.”

Mr Khan also sponsors his mother and two of his siblings. If the company reports Mr Khan for absconding, he says his troubles would get worse. “I’ll get deported and my family will be sent back home.”

The family have lived in Dubai since 1974. “This is our home,” Mr Khan says. “Now all our lives will be destroyed because of this debt that our father didn’t have a chance to pay.

“I don’t know what to do now. The situation just keeps getting worse and the pressure is too much. We have no one to turn to and nowhere to go. If we don’t get help, I’m not sure what will happen to my mum and younger siblings,” he said.

Hisham Al Zahrani, manager of zakat and social services at Dar Al Ber said: “Mr Khan and his family need help. They need Dh127,443 to pay off a debt that wasn’t their fault. If the debt isn’t paid off, and Mr Khan is reported as absconding, the situation will only get worse. We hope we can help him now before its too late.”

* To help call the hotline at 0502955999, or send a WhatsApp message to the same number. Donations can be made by depositing the amount at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank account, Iban number AE9805 000 000 000 11530734 or Dubai Islamic Bank account, Iban number AE8002 4000 352 0443 1952 01. Donations go towards paying Yousif’s rent.