JEDDAH, 8 November — The anti-beggary squad arrested 500 beggars from various crowded locations in the city on the first day of Ramadan.
The arrested persons belonged to various Asian, African and Arab nationalities. The officials found large sums of money in various currencies in the possession of the beggars, 25 percent of whom were either small children or old people, a source at the anti-beggary office said.
Saad Al-Shaharani, director of the anti-beggary office here, said he sent more officials out to various points where beggars appear frequently, particularly in the holy month of Ramadan. Police helped the officials to arrest the beggars.
As part of enlightening people against the dangers of encouraging the menace, the office has distributed 3,000 cassettes and booklets containing the religious ruling against begging, scholarly opinions on this disgraceful practice and description of various tricks employed by beggars to cheat the public and its negative social effects. These are being distributed at traffic signals and shopping centers, Al-Shaharani said.
The arrested beggars of Asian and African nationalities were handed over to the Passports Department for further action.
The department will examine their violations such as residence and labor regulations. They will be punished for their crimes before being finally deported to their countries.
Saudi nationals will be handed over to the authorities concerned for investigating their circumstances and offering them necessary assistance so that they desist from the undignified practice.
