By Abdullahi Yusuf

Sharjah Police have arrested a beggar who managed to collect Dh14,000 in three days. The arrest was made by the Anti-Begging Unit operating under the Special Tasks Department.

UAE authorities have stepped up efforts to curb this illegal practice, especially since the start of Ramadan. They have launched an awareness campaign and made several arrests, warning offenders of legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment.

An Arab man was arrested following a report from a concerned citizen who was found begging near a mosque, claiming financial hardship. A police patrol was dispatched to the scene, where he was taken into custody. Later, investigations revealed that he was residing in the country illegally and had collected a significant amount of money through begging.

Dean Al Rakan Omar Ghazal Al Shamsi, Head of the Beggars Awareness Team and Director of the Special Tasks Department, highlighted that begging is a social problem with security implications. He stressed that many people take advantage of public generosity for quick and illegal earnings.

As part of its ongoing campaign, “Begging is a Crime, Giving is a Responsibility,” Sharjah Police continues to increase patrols to curb the practice, especially during Ramadan. Authorities have also noted that some people take up begging as a seasonal occupation during this period.

Residents have been urged not to give money to beggars and to report such cases to the police call center on 80040 or 901.

Authorities in Dubai arrested 127 beggars in the first half of Ramadan, confiscating more than Dh50,000. Additionally, Dubai Police detained 375 street vendors for illegally selling food and counterfeit products.