Many of these beggars are brought to the Kingdom by organized bands of human traffickers. Saudi authorities have been taking a series of steps to prevent these rackets from bringing women, children and the handicapped into the Kingdom for begging.
Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, chairman of the Council of Senior Islamic Scholars, has cautioned the public against giving charity to these fake beggars.
He has also urged the Anti-Begging Department to intensify efforts to combat the phenomenon without showing any leniency.
“It is not allowed to give money to these fake beggars,” the mufti said.
Local newspapers have carried reports of beggar rackets earning huge amounts of money during the holy month. These rackets bring children belong to poor families and mutilate them to win the sympathy of prospective donors.
The mufti has also urged officials at the two holy mosques in Makkah and Madinah not to allow beggars on the mosque premises. He said the poor should approach charitable organizations instead of begging in the street.
“There are several charitable organizations in the Kingdom that take care of the poor,” he pointed out.
Since the beginning of Ramadan, police have arrested 516 beggars, including 126 children. Most of them lived in the country illegally.
