Our society is not the only place in the world where the poor and the needy exist. People, in days of both poverty and wealth, have lived in solidarity and harmony. Rich people have always volunteered to help others and worked to preserve their dignity. The poor never used to beg for money or overwork themselves by being fraudsters.
In the past few years, the number of beggars who dress and act miserably has increased. Men, women and children gather at intersections, traffic lights, mosques, banks and shopping centers to beg for money. Sometimes they may stop you, if you are a pedestrian, to show you their medical records. Some try to earn your compassion by telling you heartrending tales and by shedding a few tears.
So where have these people come from? It has been said that they managed to illegally cross the Kingdom’s borders and that they live in random neighborhoods and deserted homes. It has also been said that large gangs that are already in the Kingdom hire them and train them to beg. They beg according to strategic plans and fixed timings. I have also heard that the Anti-Beggary Department chases them and arrests them. When they are released, the beggars return to what they are good at. If some disappear for good, others take their places.
The question is: If the Anti-Beggary Department has been unsuccessful in stopping beggars, is it because of an inadequate anti-beggary strategy? Or is it that the department lacks the sufficient number of employees to do the job properly? What are we as individuals of this society doing other than complaining and never taking action? Are we not encouraging the beggars to continue what they are doing when we offer them money? Do we really feel that we are bad people when we doubt the genuineness of these beggars?
Eradicating beggary is necessary to maintain the civilized image of our country. It is high time the authorities protect us from this evil and also to protect these people from themselves. However, the question remains: When will beggars disappear?
