ABU DHABI // An Asian woman was arrested by Abu Dhabi Police after asking for handouts outside a mosque in order to raise money for one of her daughter’s wedding in her home country.
G B M, 50, a mother of four daughters, had entered the country two weeks ago using a visitor’s visa after being encouraged by a friend who had visited the UAE last year and made money from begging before returning home.
“There is no place for beggars in our society,” Col Dr Rashid Mohammed Borshid, acting director of the Community Police Directorate, said. “The woman confessed to feeling ashamed but was ignorant of the fact that begging is prohibited in the UAE.
“She indicated that she has heard of the Emiratis’ goodness of heart and willingness to help others, which encouraged her to apply for a tourist visa and enter the country to collect some money. She also told investigators that a fellow countrywoman encouraged her and told her how she made a substantial amount of money last year through begging.”
Col Borshid urged residents, in line with the directives of the Together Against Begging campaign, to cooperate with the police in tackling begging.
He urged people to report beggars by calling the Operations Room on 999 or any police station during these last few days of Ramadan and through the Eid Al Fitr holiday, and warned them against allowing beggars into their houses and sympathising with them.
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