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50-year-old woman visitor held for begging in Abu Dhabi

The mother of four confessed to feeling ashamed but claimed to be ignorant that begging is prohibited in UAE

An Asian woman on a visit visa was arrested by Abu Dhabi Police officers while she was asking for handouts in front of a mosque.

The woman, who entered the UAE on tourist visa, was sitting on the ground preying on people’s emotions and humanitarian spirit, seeking alms through mendicancy to provide for her daughter’s wedding expenses in her home country.

“There is no place for beggars in our society,” said Colonel Dr Rashid Mohammad Bu Rashid, acting Director of the Capital Police Directorate. He said that special teams had been set up to carry out extensive inspection campaigns to arrest beggars as part of a police crackdown to prevent them from seeking immoral alms and “profiteering from mendacity”, in collaboration with community members.

Elaborating on the details of the case, Colonel Bu Rashid added that the woman expressed regret for her actions, which led to her arrest. He said: “The woman confessed to feeling ashamed but was ignorant of the fact that begging is prohibited in the UAE. She indicated that she has heard of the Emiratis’ goodness of heart and willingness to help others, which encouraged her to apply for a tourist visa and enter the country to collect some money. She also told investigators that a fellow countrywoman encouraged her and told her how she made a substantial amount of money last year through begging. ”

Every year during Ramadan, brokers in neighbouring Asian countries send groups of elderly men and women to the UAE on visit visas for begging. The agents select women who can be more persuasive to make people give alms.

All the money collected by these organised beggars after their visit is shared with the agents and other brokers involved in organising the trips for them.

The 50-year-old Asian woman, identified as GBM, a mother of four daughters, claimed to be in need of money to pay for her daughter’s wedding. She entered the UAE two weeks ago and has already acquired wads of cash by capitalising on citizens and residents’ sympathy, until she was arrested by competent police officers.

Within the framework of the “Together against Begging” campaign, Bu Rashid called upon citizens and residents to cooperate fully with the police to counter the scourge of begging. He encouraged them to report beggars by calling the Operations Room on (999) or any nearest police station round the clock during Ramadan and through the Eid holidays. He also urged them not to sympathise with beggars no matter what means they use to capitalise on their sympathy.

The official further noted that community members’ collaboration to curb this ill-behaviour support the ongoing efforts of the Abu Dhabi Police to eradicate this scourge. He also explained that community members are wary of beggars, thanks to police awareness and warnings. “Countering this negative behaviour is an essential part of the efforts exerted by the police institution in order to fight begging and other negative behaviours,” he added.

nissar@khaleejtimes.com