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.

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