Begging remains as rampant as ever in spite of new laws that have been implemented to fight the phenomenon.

“It appears that the law against begging should have more teeth and that it should be strictly implemented,” said a Pakistani caretaker of a residential building in the Saudi capital.

“An Arab woman came asking for money from the Saudi building owner, invoking the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan. The building owner gave her SR50,” he said. He added that when he showed her the newspaper article saying that begging is not allowed by the Kingdom, she again used Ramadan as an excuse.

The caretake then told the woman that she seemed to be a professional beggar since it was not the first time that she asked for money from the building owner.

“I know that begging is not allowed but what to do when she emotionally blackmails me,” he said.

Even tourism facilities have not been spared from begging.

“Beggars approach us with a letter, as if to legalize their illegal trade. When I say that the owner is not here, they preach to us about the month of giving,” said the manager of Al-Roken Furnished Suites in the city’s Suleimania District.

Beggars roam freely around the Saudi capital without fear of being arrested.

“Authorities should do something about it. They should launch a sustained crackdown on them, otherwise begging will continue to be a perennial problem,” said one Western expat. He said that he had seen beggars enter commercial centers, including coffee shops and restaurants, asking for money. These beggars also sit outside supermarket entrances.

The police department in the Eastern Province conducted security raids and arrested 102 beggars and their possessions were confiscated last month.

Citizens were transferred to the Social Affairs office, while residents were sent to the expats detention department.