Some of the houses on the outskirts of Makkah are abandoned by their occupants following rumors that they are possessed. (AN photo by Ahmad Hashad)

MAKKAH: There are widespread rumors among Makkawis claiming some abandoned buildings and estates are possessed by jinns.

According to the widely circulated gossip, residents of these buildings located in various districts of the holy city, especially on the outskirts, say they vacated their dwellings after supernatural forces had harmed them.

There are divergent views among local residents with regard to the rumors. However, most of their views seem to confirm the existence of something mysterious at these buildings.

These have forced the owners of a number of such buildings and plots of lands to sell them at much lower rates.

There are also reports that some realtors are allegedly behind these rumors.

Local resident Muhammad Bazaid said it was easy to identify abandoned buildings that are allegedly possessed.

“Some buildings and estates in the city are known to be possessed by jinns. People used to say that,” he said, while noting that this situation is being exploited by some realtors.

“They are behind spreading of these rumors and are thus instrumental in lowering prices of these properties. They then try to buy them at prices much lower than the market value,” he said. more here