Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai (MS)
Dubai, May 6: Police here arrested an Asian beggar recently from the Al Quoz area in the city, who collected alms worth AED 1,00,000 (approximately Rs 19 lac) in just over a month. This was informed to the public by the Dubai police on Saturday, May 4 when they launched an anti-begging campaign in the city, Khaleej Times has reported.
This beggar in question had come to the city on visit visa. According to the information given by Brigadier Abdel Hameed Abdulla Al Hashimi, acting-director of police stations, most of the beggars come on visit visa via companies who bring them for tourism purpose. The tourist companies have to verify their background before bringing them on visit visa.
Brigadier Hashimi warned that if the beggar is found to have visit visa from a tourist company then such company will be fined AED 2000 in the first instance. For repeat offense, the company will be blacklisted.
Giving details about the newly launched anti-begging campaign, Brigadier Hashimi said that the main purpose of this is to prevent the begging that increases during the month of Ramadan. The campaign is named as 'Together Against Begging'. This campaign seeks the active participation of the public also and the same can be reported to the police on hotline 901.
The campaign will be led by Dubai police with support from the government and local bodies. In order to prevent begging, security and civilian patrols will be conducted mainly in market, malls, residential areas, Masjid, Ramadan tents and busy parking places.
"Beggars play on the sentiments of the public during Ramadan as it is a period of fasting, prayer and alms giving for the Muslims. We have been trying hard to put an end to this menace with support from department of Islamic affairs, general directorate of residency and foreign affairs (GDRFA) and Dubai Municipality," said Brigadier Hashimi.
In addition to the beggar of Asian origin who was caught recently with a huge sum, a lady who was begging with a newborn baby in her arms and a small child was also arrested by the police.
The public can ask the beggars to approach one of the 17 charitable societies in the city. This information was shared by Mohammed Mehdi Al Suwaidi of the department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable activities. He also informed that citizens who are holding residency visas and are in financial trouble can approach charities and philanthropists who are always eager to help such people.
Mohammed Mehdi further disclosed that the authority in charity organizations will go through each case thoroughly and make sure that the person who is seeking charity indeed has financial issues. Only if their situation is genuine then they are given required help. According to him the charity department has investigated more than 40,000 cases of financial issues till date.
"Begging is not allowed in this country. It is an offense under the law of the nation. Female beggars are monitored by a special wing of women cops in areas where there is crowd like shopping malls and public places," added Mohammed Mehdi.
There is a steady decline in the number of cases of beggars reported to the Dubai police. According the records released by the Dubai police 243 beggars, out of which 136 were men and 107 women, were arrested in 2018. The corresponding figure for 2017 was 653, 2016 was 1021 and in the year 2015, 1405 beggars were arrested.