Photo used for illustrative purpose.

The Sharjah Police arrested 119 beggars, including 109 males and 10 females, as part of the campaign launched by the Media and Public Relations Department in cooperation with the Anti-Beggary Committee, under the slogan “Begging is a crime and giving is a responsibility,” at the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan.

Brigadier General Arif Bin Hudaib, Director of the Media and Public Relations Department, stated that the total amounts of money found with the beggars since the beginning of Ramadan exceeded Dhs33,000.

He called on community members wishing to donate their alms money to go to state-accredited charitable associations and institutions, in order to ensure that this money goes to those who deserve it.

The official also stressed that the campaign came with the aim of educating community members about the methods followed by beggars, who take advantage of the Holy Month of Ramadan to beg passers-by to collect money.

Hudaib pointed out that begging offends and distorts the civilised image of the UAE, pointing out that the phenomenon is linked to behaviours which threaten the security of individuals, such as theft, and the exploitation of children and the sick, in order to get money.

He called on all members of society to cooperate with the security services in curbing the phenomenon, and not to respond to beggars.