Sharjah neighbourhoods: The new haunt for beggars

Sharjah - They have shifted their base from main city streets, mosques and shopping malls.

More and more beggars in Sharjah are now targeting people in residential areas and can be seen at grocery shops as well as commercial outlets in various neighbourhoods.
They have shifted their base from main city streets, mosques and shopping malls following recent police crackdowns against them in these places. Since police patrols have been intensified in busy areas, they are finding residential zones more suitable and convenient for begging. Khaleej Times spoke to a number of beggars in Al Qasimiya area in Sharjah and tried to understand what drives them to resort to begging.
Mehtab, a 27-year-old man who was found begging near Al Duri supermarket in Al Qasimiya residential area, said that he came from India to the UAE three months back, after he was "promised a job in a grocery shop". However, when he arrived here, his sponsor told him there was no job and asked him to "beg for survival". "In my native place in north India I had a great job. I never thought of begging before, but I have to do this here because I need money to eat and have a shelter over my head. The man who arranged for my travel forced me to beg," he claimed.
He said he was asked to beg in this area, as "the police would not come here". "I make around Dh150 to Dh200 every day and spend it on food and pay for my bed space."
Farouq, who has made Al Madina supermarket in Al Mahtta area as his permanent begging spot, said that he is well-educated and has been staying in the country legally for the last four years. He said he decided to beg in the month of Ramadan because he can't work after he lost his leg seven months ago when a speeding car rammed into his bicycle. "I am staying with a relative who told me to beg during the holy month so that I can buy an artificial limb and an air ticket to go back to Pakistan, from where I came."
Mohammed Ayesh, from Syria, said that he used to stay at a place on the border between Turkey and Syria. He was told by his friend to come to Jordan, and when he arrived there, he asked him to go to UAE a month before Ramadan and come back after Eid. His friend said that his job in UAE will help him earn enough money to start a business in Aman. "I agreed to come for the job here and arrived a month ago. I met Imran, a man from Pakistan, who received me at the airport and took me to an accommodation that was occupied by a large number of people from various nationalities. He told me to beg and I started begging before the holy month," he said, adding, "I am making good money from begging in the holy month and want to go back, but Imran searches for me every day and takes half of my money".
A good-looking beggar in a smart outfit requested this KT reporter for Dh450 to pay for his bed space. When prodded, he said he came a month ago from Pakistan to look for a job, and has run out of money now. The landlord had given him 48 hours to pay the rent or vacate the space, he added.
Ibrahim Al Ajill, director of CID at Sharjah Police, said begging refuses to abate and beggars have now found residential places ideal for their practice. The anti-begging crackdowns previously carried out by the police often reveal that the beggars who were arrested and tried returned to begging, he pointed out and added: "The arrests and punishments didn't succeed in deterring them. They are compulsive beggars and can't resist it." He said people should refrain from showing sympathy to beggars or give them money.
Ramadan Aman aims to combat begging
The Sharjah Police have launched the 'Ramadan Aman' (Safe Ramadan) campaign, which aims at combating begging, limiting the activity of street vendors, and promoters of fireworks.
During this campaign, a large number of beggar were arrested and patrols are striving to check their movement in various parts of the city, including residential areas.
Al Ajill stressed that begging is against the law and people must report such activities on 901 or 065943210 rather than sympathising with them. The Sharjah Police regularly launch awareness campaigns among community members to handle such crimes and activities. He warned the public against beggars who move door-to-door pestering families for donations.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah