Worshippers urged to avoid beggars

ABU DHABI // A police campaign against "professional" beggars who cash in on people's generosity during Ramadan was reinforced when worshippers were warned in a sermon not to encourage the practice.

Charity includes feeding the hungry and caring for orphans, but illegal begging should not be encouraged, they were told. "The Prophet said 'provide and you shall be provided for'," the sermon said. It went on to say that charitable contributions could take various forms and Muslims were encouraged to help provide iftar meals, clothes for the poor and goods for Eid al-Fitr. They were also invited to sponsor orphans "as becoming an orphan is a societal case that can happen in any household. Our own beloved Prophet was born an orphan."

The sermon's message was a follow-up to the waqf campaign, called Planted in Earth and Blossomed in Heaven, launched last week. Waqf and zakat, both topics of recent sermons, are differing forms of charity in Islam. A meeting last week involving 30 ulama, Islamic scholars who are visiting the UAE from 11 countries, discussed the economics of waqf. One ulama, Dr Naji al Arabi, a professor of Islamic jurisprudence at Bahrain University, said wealthy individuals and businesses could contribute to stabilising inflation by funding waqf projects such as housing for low-income families and other subsidised services for the needy.

Friday's government warning against encouraging begging follows a recent police clampdown that has seen special patrols in the capital to deal with the problem. Begging rises dramatically during Ramadan. The government message said: "Islam encourages work and condones seeking income through good work. Islam discourages asking and considers begging a bad phenomenon that harms the individual and society.

"Beggars exploit the good-heartedness of nationals and residents, especially during Ramadan. Our country, in the grace of God, plays a major humanitarian role by extending aid to anyone who needs it worldwide." Abu Dhabi Police, who last year deported 93 people for begging, have stepped up the campaign against beggars in the emirate, while police in Ras al Khaimah have set up surveillance points at the entrances to mosques, shopping malls and markets, and said that anyone caught begging would be arrested.

Police say "professional" beggars have made Ramadan an "investment season" so lucrative that some have been found staying in furnished hotel apartments and even five-star hotels. Many use emotive ploys to elicit money. One woman was found asking for money to help support her husband dying of cancer. Others have entered residential buildings and knocked on private apartment doors asking for money. The Interior Ministry has issued strict guidelines for issuing visas during Ramadan and said it would prosecute anyone who sponsors a beggar's entry into the UAE. They would face a Dh5,000 (US$1,360) fine.

Brig Abdullah al Bedawi, the deputy director general for criminal security at the ministry, said expatriates caught begging faced a Dh500 fine, 60 days in prison and deportation. Emiratis will be referred to the Public Prosecution on fraud charges if found to be well off, he added, but if they are genuinely poor they will be cautioned and given help by a charity.

relass@thenational.ae ealghalib@thenational.ae