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.
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A Long Way Home by Peter Carey
Faber & Faber
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 285bhp
Torque: 353Nm
Price: TBA
On sale: Q2, 2020
The specs: Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Price, base: Dh1 million (estimate)
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 563hp @ 5,000rpm
Torque: 850Nm @ 1,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 15L / 100km
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Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)
Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
How to increase your savings
- Have a plan for your savings.
- Decide on your emergency fund target and once that's achieved, assign your savings to another financial goal such as saving for a house or investing for retirement.
- Decide on a financial goal that is important to you and put your savings to work for you.
- It's important to have a purpose for your savings as it helps to keep you motivated to continue while also reducing the temptation to spend your savings.
- Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
RESULT
Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')
Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)
Asia Cup 2018 Qualifier
Sunday's results:
- UAE beat Malaysia by eight wickets
- Nepal beat Singapore by four wickets
- Oman v Hong Kong, no result
Tuesday fixtures:
- Malaysia v Singapore
- UAE v Oman
- Nepal v Hong Kong
Company profile
Name: Fruitful Day
Founders: Marie-Christine Luijckx, Lyla Dalal AlRawi, Lindsey Fournie
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2015
Number of employees: 30
Sector: F&B
Funding so far: Dh3 million
Future funding plans: None at present
Future markets: Saudi Arabia, potentially Kuwait and other GCC countries
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Letswork%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202018%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EOmar%20Almheiri%2C%20Hamza%20Khan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20co-working%20spaces%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%242.1%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20with%20investors%20including%20500%20Global%2C%20The%20Space%2C%20DTEC%20Ventures%20and%20other%20angel%20investors%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20about%2020%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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The Al Barzakh Festival takes place on Wednesday and Thursday at 7.30pm in the Red Theatre, NYUAD, Saadiyat Island. Tickets cost Dh105 for adults from platinumlist.net
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
Company: Instabug
Founded: 2013
Based: Egypt, Cairo
Sector: IT
Employees: 100
Stage: Series A
Investors: Flat6Labs, Accel, Y Combinator and angel investors
'Outclassed in Kuwait'
Taleb Alrefai,
HBKU Press
Student Of The Year 2
Director: Punit Malhotra
Stars: Tiger Shroff, Tara Sutaria, Ananya Pandey, Aditya Seal
1.5 stars
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MATCH INFO
Manchester City 2 (Mahrez 04', Ake 84')
Leicester City 5 (Vardy 37' pen, 54', 58' pen, Maddison 77', Tielemans 88' pen)
Man of the match: Jamie Vardy (Leicester City)
TOURNAMENT INFO
2018 ICC World Twenty20 Asian Western Regional Qualifier
The top three teams progress to the Asia Qualifier
Thursday results
UAE beat Kuwait by 86 runs
Qatar beat Bahrain by five wickets
Saudi Arabia beat Maldives by 35 runs
Friday fixtures
10am, third-place playoff – Saudi Arabia v Kuwait
3pm, final – UAE v Qatar
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Silent Hill f
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Rating: 4.5/5
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
Profile
Company: Justmop.com
Date started: December 2015
Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan
Sector: Technology and home services
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai
Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month
Funding: The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
