The story describes a tense situation at an illegal sewing factory in Jeddah's Saifa neighborhood. It is noon, and the workers, who have been working long hours, are startled when police arrive, causing panic among the sixteen workers present. They scramble to get dressed and find their passports, knowing that being caught is inevitable. The factory employs twenty illegal workers, two of whom have recently traveled back to India, while three others were arrested the previous night near the market. Many poor Muslim laborers from India and other countries live illegally in Saudi Arabia, often entering under the pretext of religious pilgrimage. They work extremely hard, often for sixteen hours a day, to pay off debts. Legal workers in Saudi Arabia hold a permit known as "Iqama," which they must keep on them at all times to avoid police trouble, as the authorities actively search for illegal immigrants. Those without an Iqama usually carry their passports as a form of identification. The story highlights the struggles and risks faced by these migrant workers seeking better opportunities abroad.

by Zakir Ali Rajnish in Hindi Short Stories

Writen by Zakir Ali Rajnish

Category Short Stories