Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
Joy for one household and despair and longing for another.
“When I return from school, I see my mother eagerly waiting for me at the door. I have to go and buy khubooz for lunch. I have to look after my two brothers, Omar and Ibrahim. Sometimes she is happy and I get excited that dad has come back. But he is in jail. The responsibilities are on my shoulders.”
These are the words of Ali Al Murbati, 17, the son of the only Bahraini detainee in Guantanamo Bay, Isa Al Murbati.
The family is happy for the release of Juma Al Dossary but are sad that their kin was not onboard the flight. Speaking to the Tribune from her house in Isa Town, Umm Ali, the wife of the detainee told the Bahrain Tribune: “We are glad that Juma was released but there is no news about my husband. I have five children who are being looked after by my brothers-in-law. We have not received any assistance from the government since his arrest in 2001.” she said.
Sandeep Singh Grewal
Staff Reporter
Joy for one household and despair and longing for another.
“When I return from school, I see my mother eagerly waiting for me at the door. I have to go and buy khubooz for lunch. I have to look after my two brothers, Omar and Ibrahim. Sometimes she is happy and I get excited that dad has come back. But he is in jail. The responsibilities are on my shoulders.”
These are the words of Ali Al Murbati, 17, the son of the only Bahraini detainee in Guantanamo Bay, Isa Al Murbati.
The family is happy for the release of Juma Al Dossary but are sad that their kin was not onboard the flight. Speaking to the Tribune from her house in Isa Town, Umm Ali, the wife of the detainee told the Bahrain Tribune: “We are glad that Juma was released but there is no news about my husband. I have five children who are being looked after by my brothers-in-law. We have not received any assistance from the government since his arrest in 2001.” she said.
The youngest of the siblings was two years-old when the 39-year-old was arrested. “Ibrahim has not seen his father and only recognises him from his photograph. We are praying that he comes before the Eid Al Fitr. It is tough for the family to make both ends meet,” she said.
Isa Al Murbati was arrested in October 2001, according to the family. His wife said that he had planned to help the refugees from Afghanistan. “He was involved in charity work after he left the Bahrain Defence Force. He decided to help the Afghan refugees and was travelling via Pakistan. He went alone without representing any society. After, two weeks we received a letter from the US informing us that he was arrested.”
According to reports in the media and documents from the United States government alleged that the detainee was an enemy combatant.
It claimed that Isa was an A1 Qaeda fighter and participated in military operations against the United States.
The report also claimed that the detainee was a follower of Abu Sayyef and voluntarily travelled from Bahrain to Afghanistan via Pakistan.
It also said that Isa was told that if he went to war and fought, he could get rid off the BD15,000 debt.
“ He took a loan of BD7,000 for personal purpose in 1997. The interest is still accumulating as we cannot pay the amount,” Umm Ali said.
The only thing that the family has been receiving from Isa Al Murbati was post cards and letters with US stamps on the envelope which reads: “Sender- Internment serial number- JJJJEB, Camp- Gitmo”. To- Country- Bahrain.”
“We are excited when we see the US stamp on the postcard and then feel sad when we read the letter. He keeps asking about his children and his education,” said Umm Ali.
She said that they are eagerly waiting for a report on Isa being prepared by their lawyer, Joshua Colangelo Bryan, which they are expected to receive in two weeks. “We are praying for his return and are hopeful that this report will be helpful. We also urge the Bahraini government to work for the release of my husband who is now the only one left in detention.” she sighed.
Meanwhile, the Tribune contacted Juma Al Dossary’s brother Khalid in Dammam who said yesterday: “We are allowed by the authorities in Riyadh to visit him daily. They have not yet informed us when they will release him but we plan to keep him in Saudi Arabia since his family is here.”