UAE | General
Sponsors feel the heat as law targets begging
Sponsors who encourage begging will face legal action from now on, officials have announced, saying that stamping out begging is a priority.
- By Rayeesa Absal, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:28 September 6, 2008
- Image Credit: Arshad Ali/Gulf News
- A beggar seen near the Jumeirah Mosque in Dubai. Sponsors will now be held responsible for people caught begging, as authorities have confirmed that many people do this after having entered the country on a visit or business visa.
Abu Dhabi: Sponsors who encourage begging will face legal action from now on, officials have announced, saying that stamping out begging is a priority.
Unlike earlier, when beggars caught during inspections were simply deported, investigations will now be made into the person who sponsors the beggar and legal action will be initiated against him.
"Visa rules have been modified to hold the sponsor responsible for encouraging begging," said Brigadier Nasser Al Awadi Al Minhali, Acting Director General of the Federal Naturalisation and Residency Department.
Some 987 beggars were held by Dubai Police during last Ramadan.
"They are not in small numbers," said Lt Gen Saif Al Shafa'ar, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, in an interview with Gulf News. Al Shafa'ar further said that some beggars make as much as Dh2,000 per day during Ramadan.
"Not only this, numerous times we have found that more than one person in a family is into begging. Say, four people from a family take up this profitable business.
"Imagine the income and all the profit."
Illegal trade
Most of those arrested last year were women. Besides this, 40 people were arrested for selling commodities illegally.
"While some are arrested for begging per se, others are caught for illegal stay or petty crime," Al Shafa'ar added. He confirmed that there were people who came into the country for begging, after having obtained a visit visa or a business visa. "With the amendments to naturalisation and residency laws, that came into effect on August 1, this phenomenon will decrease automatically," said Al Shafa'ar.
Al Shafa'ar urged people to stop promoting begging and not to fall for tales crafted by those looking for monetary benefits only. "Beggars are merely exploiting the essence of Ramadan for their personal gains. They may not actually be unfortunate people. Even if they are, there are several organisations who offer support".
Meanwhile, Dubai Police have warned residents not to cooperate with beggars who "exploit" sympathetic residents during Ramadan.
"Police patrols will follow up locations where beggars gather in Dubai, in an attempt to put an end to this uncivilised phenomenon," said Brig Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Deputy Director of Preventive Security at Dubai Police.
Would you be willing to help a beggar if approached by one? Why? What was your worst experience with a beggar? Have you noticed an increase in the number of beggars during Ramadan? Tell us at letter2editor@gulfnews.com or fill in the form bellow to send your comments.
Your comments
I was approached by a lady who wanted me to give her some money near City center. I didnt have any cause i had only cards. she got angry, and moved away to a near by parking area, opened her car and drove off angrily while i was waiting for a taxi.
Abdulrahman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 07, 2008, 10:43
In the holy month of Ramadan, every Muslim wants to do good work; because in return God would give him/her much more than we expect. I also want to help the people who are needy but because of these people (professional beggars); some times I hesitate to help them. They are increasing day by day in UAE. They are knocking at the door, entering in to the office
Muti
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 07, 2008, 10:43
If God willing - Yes, I will try to help the begger or alms seeker only after seeing the physical fittness of the person as I normally do. For eg. aged or handicaps who are not in position to work and earn for their daily needs.
Sulaiman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: September 07, 2008, 07:02
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