Dubai Police have warned the public to be on the lookout for people who come to the UAE on visit visas to beg during Ramadan.
There is an increase in “begging tourism” during the holy month as criminals seek to take advantage of the generosity of UAE residents during the period, the force said.
A clampdown has already led to the arrest of a woman who exploited her baby son to collect Dh30,000 ($8,168) from members of the public.
“Another female beggar, who was involved in organised begging, was arrested and found with Dh60,000,” said Brig Ali Al Shamsi, director of the suspects and criminal phenomena department at Dubai Police.
Officers are stationed across the emirate, particularly near mosques and markets, to enforce an anti-begging campaign that runs from March 1 to April 13.
Every year, the force arrests hundreds for begging. Asking for money illegally in the UAE can result in offenders being jailed for up to three months and fined Dh5,000.
Criminal gang members involved in organised begging can receive minimum jail terms of six months and fines of Dh10,000.
Anyone asking for donations on social media without official permission can face fines of between Dh250,000 and Dh500,000, under the UAE's cyber crime laws.
Brig Al Shamsi said the force arrested 499 beggars – 342 men and 157 women – last year, up from 318 in 2022.
About 1,702 beggars have been arrested over the past four years in Dubai, according to official figures.
Of these, 99 per cent consider begging to be an occupation, said officials.
The force said that the majority of the beggars were visitors who come during Ramadan seeking easy money.
“People should not sympathise with beggars as they dupe Emiratis and residents by pretending they have a disability, a disease or have lost their jobs.”
He said most beggars exploit people's religions, generosity and charitable sentiments for personal gain.
“Dubai Police launches the anti-begging campaign annually during Ramadan as people are more inclined to give to those in need, particularly during the holy month. Beggars know that.”
Educating the public
Brig Saeed Al Qemzi, assistant director of the general directorate of investigations for criminal operations affairs at Dubai Police, said the anti-begging campaign aimed to educate the public about the dangers of begging.
“We urge members of the public to report beggars who exploit people's generosity during the holy month to collect money,” he said.
People willing to help those in need should go to verified and official charities to donate their money, to ensure that it goes to the right people, Brig Saeed Al Qemzi said.
“People shouldn't be deceived by beggars, as different crimes can result from begging – such as burglary and abusing children, [the] elderly and people of determination to raise money illegally,” he said.
“People should not show compassion to beggars' fake appearances. They must, instead, help police by reporting them.”
Struggling to pay the rent
A beggar from South Africa, who was asking strangers for money near a mosque in Dubai, told The National that he came to the emirate on a visit visa but failed to find a job.
“It is the first time I'm begging for money,” he said.
“I have rent and expenses to pay here but I ran out of money and don't have a job.
“I know it is illegal but I'm desperate and have no other options.”
The 40-year-old man claimed that he had a family back home to support.
“It is very a difficult and stressful situation. There are many people, like me, who are losing jobs. I will move around and maybe I will find a job,” he said.
“I don't want to return to my country empty-handed.”
Layla Atif, an Egyptian homemaker in Sharjah, said she used to give small amounts of cash to beggars, especially during Ramadan as part of the good deeds she performs.
“I used to give sums of cash as I like to help others in need, but after the police campaigns I decided to help them by purchasing a meal,” she said.
“Some refused and walked away, but others thanked me for the meal.”
Ms Atif, a mother of two, said she sees beggars frequently around mosques, markets and car parks.
“I ask them about their reasons for begging and they tell me different stories to stir my emotions, such as they lost their job or they don't have any money for medication,” she said.
“Usually I give them Dh5 or Dh10 but recently I decided to either buy a meal or donate the money to charity.”
Members of the public are urged to report beggars on the streets, as well as people asking for money online, to the force's call centre on 901, the Police Eye smart service or the e-crime platform.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
The Brutalist
Director: Brady Corbet
Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn
Rating: 3.5/5
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Paris%20Agreement
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Under 19 World Cup
Group A: India, Japan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka
Group B: Australia, England, Nigeria, West Indies
Group C: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Scotland, Zimbabwe
Group D: Afghanistan, Canada, South Africa, UAE
UAE fixtures
Saturday, January 18, v Canada
Wednesday, January 22, v Afghanistan
Saturday, January 25, v South Africa
Read more about the coronavirus
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FIXTURES
All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT) unless stated
Tuesday
Sevilla v Maribor
Spartak Moscow v Liverpool
Manchester City v Shakhtar Donetsk
Napoli v Feyenoord
Besiktas v RB Leipzig
Monaco v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Tottenham Hotspur
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
Wednesday
Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Qarabag v Roma (8pm)
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Juventus v Olympiakos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Power: 611bhp
Torque: 620Nm
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Price: upon application
On sale: now
UAE squad
Ali Kashief, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdelrahman, Mohammed Al Attas (Al Jazira), Mohmmed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammad Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Eisa, Mohammed Shakir, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Adel Al Hosani, Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah), Waleed Abbas, Ismail Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli Dubai) Habib Fardan, Tariq Ahmed, Mohammed Al Akbari (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Mahrami (Baniyas)
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