Campaigns target Ramadan beggers

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have launched campaigns to combat begging, which flourishes during the month of Ramadan.

Beggers congregating outside mosques, shopping centres and other public places will be targeted, according Saudi daily Okaz in a report picked up by AFP.

Numbers and nationalities of beggars are to be logged, along with the tricks used to generate pity, the newspaper said.

Khamis Mattar Al-Mazeina, director of the Dubai Police Criminal Investigation Department told Arab News individuals found begging in the Emirate would be arrested, and urged the public to report beggars, describing them as “professional pan-handlers” and “pests.”

Popular tricks include carrying certificates from nonexistent hospitals, or documents claiming to represent charities. Other tactics include latching on to victims at petrol pumps and shopping malls.

Print | Email | Discuss this article

| Share |

READERS' COMMENTS

Click here to post a comment

Add your Comment All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *	(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments
Enter the words above *
Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM