A large number of people already getting financial assistance from social insurance and charitable societies are increasing their income by making begging their profession, Yusuf Al-Sayali, director general of the Anti-Beggary Office branches in the Ministry of Social Affairs, said here Wednesday. Al-Sayali said researchers have determined that money received by these beggars is so enough and they do not need assistance from official and charitable organizations. There is a plan for field campaigns, in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior, to counter begging at large Eid prayer grounds, he added. Al-Sayali said officials are carrying out a number of measures against arrested beggars. Saudi nationals are referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs and sociologists study their social and economic situations to determine the reasons behind their begging. They are also provided with social services to ensure that they do not return to their begging ways, Al-Sayali said. The studies are conducted in coordination with social insurance offices, charitable societies and the Ministry of Labor through the Human Resources Development Fund in order to train those who can work, he added. “As to expatriate beggars, they are referred to the security authorities to verify if they are legal residents in the country and measures are taken against them,” Al-Sayali said. Abdullah Aal Tawi, Director General of the Ministry of Social Affairs branch in Jeddah, said there will be intensive anti-begging patrols at Eid prayer sites. Saad Al-Shahrani, Director of the Anti-Beggary Office in Jeddah, said officials have launched campaigns in markets and popular areas. Three Saudi beggars were caught during Ramadan, he added. Al-Shahrani said the campaigns did uncover strange cases; an old man was arrested under a bridge in Jeddah with SR72,000 in his possession. Beggars were also caught wearing elegant clothes to give the impression that they were shoppers to avoid being arrested.
