(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The number of beggars arrested since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan registered a sharp drop in Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai''s Murraqabat police station.
According to Brigadier Ali Abdulla Ghanim at the Murraqabat police station, begging has come down by 40 per cent this year, compared to last year. In RAK, only seven were arrested, while 30 beggars were nabbed during the same period last year, said Major-General Ali Abdullah bin Alwan Al Nuaimi, Commander-in-Chief of the RAK Police. Among the 34 people arrested in Dubai, 32 are Asians and two others are Arabs. The beggars included 17 males and 17 females. Brigadier Ghanim said that police did not find any odd or extraordinary case, and found no cases of organised begging. In Ras Al Khaimah, seven people of different nationalities were arrested following four reports. Both the officials attributed the drop in the number of beggars to organised police patrols and awareness campaigns. Major-General Al Nuaimi said begging is a big threat to the security and stability of the residents and the act is mostly associated with other illegal practices such as fraud and robbery. Col Abdullah Mankhas, Director of Criminal Investigations Department, RAK Police, warned that the beggars prevent vulnerable people in need for help from receiving assistance. The Ras Al Khaimah Police are geared up with more traffic and security patrols to curb any negative phenomena, boost safety and security, and ensure traffic flow on all roads of the emirate, he pointed out. He urged the public to report any beggar or suspect to hotline No 050-7669229. "This is part of the local campaign against begging themed ''Fight Begging & Help the Eligible." "The doors of charity associations and accredited channels are wide open for anyone in need for help on condition that they prove to be really eligible for support," he added. Brigadier Ali Abdulla Ghanim noted that beggars usually operated between 1pm and 11pm in certain areas, particularly near mosques, roundabouts and junctions, private hospitals and shopping malls. Not a single beggar was caught from residential areas. While seven of them are residents, 27 came on visit visas during Ramadan. The official called on people not to show sympathy to beggars who exploit their kindness.
Ahmed Shaaban Originally from Egypt, I have been in Dubai since December 2005. Before coming here, I worked as an English language instructor, chief En/Ar translator, proofreader, reporter in Egypt and Qatar. I have also worked as a reporter, correspondent and simultaneous translator with two satellite channels in Dubai. I have a masters degree in media, Cairo University, 2014, a bachelor degree in English language and translation, Ain Shams University, Cairo, 1996, and three post-graduate diplomas in English language and Instruction. With over 19 years of experience in translation, interpretation, EFL instruction, and reporting. I am interested in technology, aviation, politics, as well as community, parliament and defence issues. I enjoy reading, writing, exercising, and surfing the web.