Okaz/Saudi Gazette

ABHA — An Indian street cleaner has been picking up litter from the streets of Abha for the past 30 years.

Akbar Sheikh spent six Ramadans in this southern Saudi city. He says he enjoys fasting in in the Kingdom more than in his own country.

"In Abha everyone fasts whereas in India only Muslims fast," says Sheikh. He said he works long hours day and night to provide for his family despite the seething sun and the unstable weather.

Sheikh mainly works near one of the main traffic lights in the city where he bustles to pick up litter in the street as soon as the flow of traffic halts at red light. Many drivers feel ashamed about littering because they see Sheikh rushing to take the litter and throw it in a trash can.

Sheikh breaks his fast on whatever the people passing by spare him. Sometimes he only has a few dates and a bottle of water. He wishes he could spend more time with his family but he has to stay away trying to provide for them a decent living.