Despite being declared as a violation of the law, the act of begging has started swelling since the beginning of the holy month of Ramadhan.
Apart from an unusual number of their presence in front of mosques, hospitals and shopping malls, the beggars are also making use of a door-to-door walk.
Despite warnings and appeals by the authorities including the Royal Oman Police, the number of beggars increases during the holy month as they look to exploit the goodwill of the general public.
According to Article 297 of the new Omani Penal Code, begging is illegal and those who are caught in the act will face imprisonment for no less than one month and not more than a year, with fines ranging from RO 50 to RO 100.
“The rule applies to those begging in public places such as roads, shops and mosques, or private establishments such as peoples’ homes and companies”, it states.
Every year, this time of the season, intensive campaigns are made by the Royal Oman Police in association with the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Labour and the Public Prosecution, in which special teams are formed throughout the country to monitor beggars.
According to one of the officials who was in charge of the campaigns in 2018 and 2019 said that even children and women even above the age of 60 were caught while asking for handouts.
“Except a few nationals, most of them were expatriates and illegal immigrants from a few Arab and South Asian countries,” he said.
According to the official, the reasons for begging and the increase in such instances around Ramadhan were due to the failure of some members of society to report beggars, which would motivate them to continue with their illicit goals.
“The best way to curb begging is by warning those who end up giving alms. If you stop giving, there will be no one around begging. There should also be laws that would go against those who give alms”, said Amina al Balushi, a social worker with the Ministry of Health.
Ramadhan is a time for charity; giving to the less fortunate will be greatly appreciated. It doesn't have to be money, but perhaps food for iftar. Providing free iftar meals is a common practice across the Sultanate of Oman.
“There are some people who take advantage of the holy month as it is the time when the believers become more considerate and do charity. But it is a fact that begging goes up during Ramadhan as people are more tolerant towards such activities”, said Nasser al Wahaibi, a retired health official in Ruwi.
Although there have not been reported cases so far this year of online begging through emails, WhatsApp and other social media platforms, these are other forms of begging.
@samkuttyvp
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
