Woman, daughter charged for begging in UAE

Fujairah - 'I kept watching them and saw them knocking on all houses to beg'

An Arab woman and her daughter have stood trial at the Fujairah Misdemeanour Court for reportedly begging in a neighbourhood in the emirate.
An Emirati national served as a witness and told the court how he saw the defendants going house to house.
"I was heading to my car when a woman (the mother) approached me and asked me for some money to buy medicine," he said.
The woman allegedly told him that she was diabetic and needed to get insulin shots.
"I told her that begging is banned in the country and asked her not to do this again," the witness said.
He moved away but he noticed that the woman's daughter was knocking on the door of another house in the neighbourhood.
"I kept watching them and saw them knocking on all houses to beg," he said.
"I immediately alerted the Fujairah Police about the two beggars. The authorities immediately responded and sent a police patrol to the district."
The mother and her daughter were referred to the Fujairah Public Prosecution which charged them with begging.
A ruling from the misdemeanour court is expected next week.
Earlier this month, three residents, including a 70-year-old man, have also appeared in court for the same charge.
The Fujairah Police urged the public to hand their donations only to licensed charity associations which have a clear and verified record of people who need help.
"The widows, orphans and poor patients listed on these charities are more worthy of donations," he said, noting that the "professional beggars" are taking advantage of people's generosity.
In April 2018, the UAE passed a federal law that punishes anyone caught begging with a Dh5,000 fine and up to three months in prison, he explained.
"Those who operate gangs of beggars will get a prison sentence of not less than six months as well as a minimum fine of Dh100,000."
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Fujairah