As the holy month of Ramadan begins in the UAE and the rest of the Arab world, tourists and the Islamic faithful come in droves to join Muslims in observance of the most important time in the Islamic calendar.
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During this period, workers are shortened to working for only six hours a day, in order to join the rites and customs of prayer and fasting spread throughout the day for one whole month. It is also during this period that Muslims are very active in charitable acts and extending help to the poor and the needy.
Beggar who Allegedly Earned AED 100,000 per Month Arrested in Dubai
In relation to this, an Asian beggar on visit visa, who was found to be earning AED 100,000 in a month, was arrested by the Dubai Police in the Al Quoz Area, as shared in a report by the Khaleej Times.
This was revealed during the Police’s launch of an anti-begging campaign by the Dubai Police on Saturday (May 4).
According to Police station Acting Director Brigadier Abdel Hameed Abdulla Al Hashimi, the Dubai Police is fully committed to monitor begging activities during the holy month and to arrest perpetrators who take advantage of the kindness of the masses especially during the season.
The campaign, themed ‘Together Against Begging’ urges residents of Dubai to rally against the practice of begging and to report incidents via the police’s hotline: 901.
Al Hashimi further shared that the activities of these beggars concentrate on highly populated areas, including Ramadan tents, parking spots, residential areas, markets, and places of worship.
He also explained that most beggars come on visit visas and some are even brought by tourist companies who are supposed to screen people for this very problem before bringing them into Dubai.
As such, tourist companies who are found to have granted beggars their visit visa will also be held liable – with fines of up to AED 2,000 as well as the possibility of being blacklisted if such actions have been performed repeatedly.
In order not to contradict the spirit of giving during this important season for Muslims, the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities’ Mohammed Mehdi Al Suwaidi recommended that instead of giving the poor and needy money, citizens can guide these people who need assistance to more than 17 accredited charitable organizations in Dubai.
Al Suwaidi also pointed out that begging is punishable by law. Many beggars have been recently caught by the Dubai Police, DNRD and police patrols. A special team of female cops has been monitoring female beggars in public places, especially in shopping areas, as well.
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