Earns IDR 172 Million In The First 20 Days Of Ramadan 2022, This Beggar Is Arrested By The Police

Ilustrasi (Wikimedia Commons/Alex Proimos)

JAKARTA - The holy month of Ramadan, which is believed to be a month to increase charity and alms, is often followed by many beggars in various Muslim-majority countries.

Various ways and campaigns to anticipate beggars in this holy month are carried out, including issuing appeals to threats of sanctions if they give to beggars.

In Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, local police officers arrested a beggar who earned 44,000 UAE dirhams or around Rp. 172,048,134 in the first 20 days of Ramadan.

In total, Sharjah Police have so far arrested 94 beggars, 65 men and 29 women, related to the annual practice of begging during this holy month.

"One (beggar) was found with more than 44,000 UAE dirhams or around Rp. 172,048,134 in cash which he made from begging. While the other had 12,000 UAE dirhams or around Rp. 46,922,218, said Lt. Col. Mohammad bin Tlaiaa, head of the anti-government anti-corruption team. beggars in Sharjah Police as quoted by The National News 22 April.

"We found that international transfers had been made by some of the violators who were arrested. Cash was also found with other people."

Police in the emirate launched an anti-begging movement titled 'Begging is a Crime and Giving is a Responsibility' on the first day of Ramadan 1443 Hijri.

Patrols have been stepped up throughout the emirate in places frequented by beggars. Meanwhile, the public is urged to report it by calling 901 or 80040.

"Most of those arrested came to this country on visit visas, while some are residents who try to exploit the spirit of giving people during Ramadan," said Lieutenant Colonel Tlaiaa.

"Begging increases during certain occasions, including Ramadan, with most beggars found near shopping malls, mosques and residential areas," he said.

Legal action has been taken against the violators. Sharjah Police arrested 1,409 beggars during Ramadan over the past few years.

"More than 500,000 UAE dirhams were recovered from people who were arrested in the past," explained Lieutenant Colonel Tlaiaa.

Furthermore, he appealed to the public to help the police by donating to registered charities. Begging is illegal in the UAE, with a penalty of up to three months in prison and a fine of 5,000 UAE dirhams or around Rp. 19,550,924 if caught.

Stricter penalties will be given to those who are found to be in good health or who try to take advantage of people's goodwill, by pretending to beg.

Meanwhile, those caught running beggar networks and exploiting people with special needs could face a minimum of six months in prison and a fine of at least 100,000 UAE dirhams.

In a similar action, Dubai Police arrested 178 people for begging in the emirate during the first two weeks of Ramadan. A man was arrested with more than 40,000 UAE dirhams in cash, or around Rp. 156,407,395, according to police.

On Thursday, Dubai Police arrested a man in Deira for charging people 1 dirham or around IDR 3,910 for using his scales.

"This is a form of begging," they said in a media statement.

As for Ras Al Khaimah, police have arrested 50 beggars since the start of Ramadan this year.