Abu Dhabi police warn against generosity to beggars in Ramadan

Police urged the public to report anyone soliciting for money in public places during the holy month as the practice is illegal.

ABU DHABI // As incidents of begging increase during Ramadan, police have reiterated that the practice is illegal.

In the first three months of 2014, 125 people were prosecuted for begging, The National's Arabic-language sister newspaper Al Ittihad reported. This compares with 186 prosecutions for the whole of 2013.

Colonel Rashid bu Rushaid, deputy director of Directorate, urged the public to report anyone begging by calling the emergency line on 999 or by calling 800 2626.

Dr Ahmad bin Abdel Aziz Al Haddad, grand mufti in the Bureau of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Works in Dubai, explained that Islamic law forbids begging except in exceptional circumstances.

Begging is only allowed if a person is starving, if they cannot pay their debts or in the aftermath of a natural disaster.

Al Ittihad reported that many beggars aim to take advantage of those wishing to perform an act of goodness during the holy month. Others will falsify medical reports to arouse pity.

Recently, a 28-year-old Arab woman was prosecuted for begging in the street, despite the fact she was healthy and capable of working.

In another case, an Arab woman told Al Ittihad how she makes a good living from begging.

The mother of four said she goes from house to house pleading for money.

She said she tries to gain the householders sympathy by detailing how impoverished her family is.

She said she also works and tailor and cook, and received Dh1,000 a month in financial aid from a charity, but considers begging the most lucrative of her professions.