Dubai Police Issue Warning: Begging During Ramadan Could Result in Fines of up to 500,000 Dirhams and Jail Time
As Ramadan approaches and residents prepare for the holy month, Dubai authorities have issued a warning and are launching a campaign to curb begging in the emirate.
The anti-begging campaign will commence on April 13, 2024. Offenders could face fines starting from a minimum of 5,000 Dirhams and up to three months of imprisonment.
Those organizing begging activities and involving foreigners in such activities could face a minimum of six months imprisonment and fines of no less than 100,000 Dirhams.
According to Article 5 of the 2012 Information Technology Crime Law, anyone soliciting or promoting fundraising through information technology means without approval from the competent authority could face fines ranging from 250,000 to 500,000 Dirhams, or any of these penalties.
Dubai police arrested a beggar and found about 30,000 dirhams of cash in her possession, the police said on Friday.
According to Dubai Police, the beggar, an Asian woman holding a child, was arrested with different foreign currencies estimated to be worth more than Dh30,000 on her person. She had been begging near mosques and in residential areas for just a month and had "earned" the money.
The female beggar, who entered the country on a visitor's visa, was arrested two weeks ago and has been handed over to the Dubai Public Prosecution Office. Police officials told a media briefing on Friday that the incident was the most prominent begging case so far this year.
Dubai Police warned the public not to fall prey to the various ploys by beggars to capitalize on their sympathy. In another incident, police arrested two beggars carrying Dh70,000 and Dh60,000 in cash.
About 90% of the arrested beggars are known to be tourists who travel to the UAE during Ramadan as they know that the UAE is a rich country where people are charitable during the holy month of Ramadan. 99% of the arrested beggars are professional beggars.
Approaching Ramadan, Dubai Police has once again launched an anti-begging campaign that will run from March 1 to April 13th.
Under Federal Law No. 9 of 2018 on anti-begging, anyone arrested for begging in the UAE will be fined Dh5,000 and imprisoned for up to three months. Those running professional begging rings or recruiting people from outside the country to work as beggars will face no less than six months in prison and a fine of at least Dh100,000.
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