UAE | General
Begging will not be allowed during the fasting month
During Ramadan, the capital city witnesses a sudden surge in the number of panhandlers. More than 93 people were arrested during Ramadan last year across the emirate and deported for begging.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:30 August 31, 2008
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez/Gulf News
- An old man solicits alms from a passer-by in Deira. Picture for illustrative purposes only.
Abu Dhabi: During Ramadan, the capital city witnesses a sudden surge in the number of panhandlers.
More than 93 people were arrested during Ramadan last year across the emirate and deported for begging, said Lieutenant General Saif Al Shafaar, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Interior, in an exclusive interview with Gulf News.
Most of those arrested were Asians and Arabs, some of whom were later found to be living in hotels.
"Stamping out begging is a top priority for us. Unless a crime is committed, those found begging are arrested and deported after security measures such as iris scans are performed," he said.
Common alibis
Injury
No petrol
Building a mosque in home country
No money to feed infant
Do you think people exploit the month? Or does this problem exist and comes to the fore during Ramadan? How can this problem be solved? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
Just Yesterday a guy came begging and I was just about to hand him some money, when my husband told me that he had just seen the man change a 500Dhs from a shop nearby. I was really shocked.
Shilpa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 11:11
Ramadan is a time for charity however, we should be careful because there are "gangs", well organized who take advantage of this opportunity. There are legal charity organizations where we can donate a little to help the needy.
Mariam
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 09:48
Begging during Ramadan is a global phenomenon, I guess. I come from Southern India and we do see a surge of beggars just after the start of the Holy month. Its not only beggars, but people with other financial needs who are trying to get money for treatment; the list goes on. All of them are trying to take undue advantage of the public, especially the Islamic community.
FUAD
ABU DHABI,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 09:46
If a poor person can afford to come to Dubai and live here, he is no more a poor one. so we have no option but to stop these acting poor people from begging in Ramadan.
Riyaz
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 09:21
Yes, Such people think this is a chance of easy earning money all this is just because of Islamic teachings and little loose of law and order. Police should take a sudden action to all those people who come out for begging.
Shaikh Abdul Majeed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 09:14
Yes. Some people do exploit the month. But in fact there are so many needy people who should be taken care of. As the month of Ramadan is the month of mercy and charity, obviously the needy people may expect to get something in this month.
Usman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 09:11
I think this thing can never be controlled. They depending on new way every time. Since the las two months Such pepole with all respect to them start going up to the buldding and knok your door and once you open the door she( normally its lady) starts tlling a starnge story were her husband just left her here with childrens !! ohh I got two stoped me @ the street and they both were showing me that they are pragnent and they need money to open file in cornich hospital and when I gave one the other lady jump on me saying (I was the one who talked to you 1ST) !! its really starnge in UAE ??
Maher
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: September 01, 2008, 08:28
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