ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Saturday, May 28th 2016 [ME NewsWire]

With Ramadan around the corner, the Ministry of Interior is launching a nationwide campaign against beggary, which tends to increase during the Holy Month. The ministry has directed its key relevant sectors and different police general headquarters in the UAE, to implement this comprehensive awareness campaign, under the theme ‘Fight Begging’, aimed at stamping out this objectionable occurrence and boost security awareness amongst members of the public, on the risks of sympathizing with beggars.

Police teams and relevant security authorities at the countrywide level will be intensifying patrols and increasing their presence in public places. These efforts will be complemented by a comprehensive awareness campaign implemented by the Security Media Department, at the General Secretariat of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, via various media. The campaign is based on an elaborate plan to address this societal scourge and promote the proper ways to eradicate it.

Lt. General Saif Abdullah Al Sha’far, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Interior, reiterated the ministry’s unrelenting commitment to combat this scourge that reflects negatively on the civilized image of the country. “Begging opens the door for some people to indulge in various forms of dupery and fraud to seek alms from people, and exploiting their tendency for charitable work during this Holy Month,” he noted.

Adding further, Lt. General Al Sha’far said: “The concerned police entities, through their various headquarters and departments are exerting significant efforts to combat this social affliction, through crackdown campaigns and awareness initiatives designed to eradicate objectionable behaviors such as begging, which detracts from the civilized image of society and endangers community members as some beggars commit robberies under the guise of beggary.”

Lt. General Al Sha’far called upon community members to donate their money through the appropriate channels to support charity and humanitarian efforts during Ramadan. He also stressed the need to address the various behaviors that tarnish the civilized image of the country, through a clear methodology and contemporary media message that keeps pace with the developments taking place in the country, in a bid to promote prevention efforts and contribute to establishing security and stability in society.

Major General Al Muhairi: Begging is an Uncivilized Nuisance and Fighting it is a Collective Responsibility

Abu Dhabi Police announced a series of preventive and awareness-raising procedures as part of the campaign aimed at eradicating the scourge of begging, which detracts from the civilized image of society and endangers community members. Police stations will intensify security patrols within residential areas and around buildings and villas to arrest any beggars. The police also urged the public to cooperate with police patrols by reporting beggars, and encouraged them to reject all behaviors that may reflect negatively on the image of society and the country.

Major General Omair Muhammad Al Muhairi, Director General of Police Operations at Abu Dhabi Police, called upon the public to combat this affliction, which increases significantly during the Holy Month of Ramadan. “Beggars resort to a variety of means and pretexts to generate people’s sympathy and manipulate their emotions to swindle money from them, which is an illegal practice”, explained Major General Al Muhairi. Furthermore, he added that this scourge detracts from the civilized image of society and opens the door for some people to engage in various forms of dupery and fraud to seek alms from people who sympathize with beggars.

Major General Al Muhairi warned the public against beggars’ attempts to exploit the generosity and benevolent nature of the good people of this bountiful generous land. “Some immoral people take begging as an occupation that threatens the security of society, as it could often be a prelude to commit petty crimes, such as robberies,” he noted.

Major General Al Muhairi urged community members to donate their money according to the law and through the appropriate and official channels to support humanitarian efforts carried out under the auspices of the competent entities.

In conclusion, Major General Al Muhairi confirmed that the competent authorities are ready to respond to any notification and handle any case by taking the necessary actions. “The police and security authorities will show no leniency in enforcing the law and arresting beggars who will prosecuted by the competent judicial authorities according to the law”, he continued.

The MoI’s campaign will be supported by media efforts, which include intensifying awareness activities and messages through media outlets (TV, radio and print), and social media. The MoI urges community members not to hesitate to report beggars in residential areas and buildings, by calling the police operations room on the emergency number 999 or the Aman service on 8002626 or by SMS to 2828. This falls in line with the awareness campaign, implemented by the Security Media Department, at the Secretariat General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

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Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE

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The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.

Contacts

The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department

Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media

Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-666-4891

E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com

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