Brothers and Sisters Arrested in Dubai Police Crackdown on Begging During Ramadan

Dubai Police’s General Department of Criminal Investigation Director, Major General Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, confirmed that the “Fight Begging” campaign successfully arrested 116 beggars during the first half of the holy month of Ramadan.

Among those arrested were 59 males and 57 females, who were found with sums of money collected by falsely claiming to be in need and exploiting the compassion of community members.

Major General Al Jallaf emphasized that beggars take advantage of the holy month of Ramadan and people’s religious sentiments to collect money illegally. He explained that one case involved two brothers married to two sisters and a child who had come to the country on visit visas to beg and collect money by exploiting the holy month.

Al Jallaf added that police officers apprehended the two brothers and their wives while begging near a mosque using deceptive and theatrical gestures, falsely indicating that the couples were disabled.

He stressed the importance of not responding to beggars’ pleas or dealing with them based on compassion and sympathy for their appearance. He encouraged the public to assist police by immediately reporting any beggars spotted through the call centre (901), Dubai Police’s “Eye” platform via its smart app or the E-Crime service for reporting electronic crimes.

Major General Jamal Al Jallaf explained that there are official entities, charitable organizations, and associations to which anyone in need can turn for financial assistance. He highlighted that some people justify their begging by claiming they need money, which is illegal and punishable under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 concerning combating begging.

Colonel Ali Salem Al Shamsi, Director of the Infiltrators Control Department in the General Department of Criminal Investigations, confirmed that the “Fight Begging” campaign launched by Dubai Police under the slogan “Begging is a wrong concept of compassion” has been ongoing since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign continues its mission by intensifying patrols in areas where beggars are expected to be found.

He stressed that the phenomenon of begging poses a threat to society’s security, people’s lives, and their property. He noted that the problem of begging is linked to serious consequences, including the commission of crimes such as theft and robbery, the exploitation of children, patients, and people of determination in begging, and the attainment of illegitimate gains.