This is in response to the article “26 street vendors arrested in Makkah,” in Saudi Gazette (Sept. 20). Everyone in Makkah during the Haj period experiences an unbecoming scene: begging by a section of people, that is increasing in number, mostly from neighboring African countries. Many Hajis have commented that why the Makkah authorities turn a blind eye to them begging near the vicinity of Haram Sharif? Most of them are neither genuine beggars nor the Haj authorities earn anything out of sheer sympathy shown by the. Rather they earn disrepute from the vats majority of pilgrims who call it uncared handling. We have seen many officials trying to stop them, even run after them. But it's of no use. Iqbal A.M., Online response