Panhandlers’ tricks beggar belief

JEDDAH: The holy month of Ramadan, besides fasting and reciting the Qur’an, is considered the most auspicious period for Muslims to help the needy. However, some unscrupulous elements try to take full advantage of the situation by fanning out across the Kingdom and seeking alms on one pretext or the other.
The main locations where these panhandlers take positions include markets, residential complexes, pharmacies, ATM kiosks, traffic signals. Surprisingly, they don’t even spare mosques, where one is supposed to beg only from God Almighty.
The strange phenomenon not only deprives those in genuine need of financial support, but also kills the spirit of charity by creating doubts in the minds of people.
Some people present prescriptions for high-priced medicines to get alms, some say their cash has been stolen and some even go to the extent of seeking money for madrassa or mosque in their country.
Abdullah Al-Shomar, director of public relations at the Ministry of Social Affairs in Qassim, says begging is a social disease, which spreads widely during certain seasons. Beggars, he explains, try to elicit sympathy from others, pretending to be ill, very poor or suffering from disability.
“There are a number of foreigners who have taken begging as a trade.”
On the procedures for arresting a beggar, Al-Shomar said: “If a beggar is arrested for the first time, he or she is told to give a written undertaking not to repeat the offense. A specialized committee studies the case. If it is genuine, the office coordinates with a number of charities to establish a link between the two parties.”
Badr Al-Suhaibani, Qassim police media spokesman, said security authorities work throughout the year to eradicate begging.
“Contributions and financial in-kind assistance must be extended to official associations and charities and not directly to anyone.”
He said: “Plans are in place to combat the phenomenon, and field teams follow up on the beggars and apply the regulations and directives.”