MAKKAH: Saudi Arabian police arrested a group of beggars in front of Mecca’s holy Masjid al-Haram on Tuesday. The arrests were made as part of a more extensive campaign to end begging in the city.
The beggars demanded money from believers and pilgrims, violating Saudi law, police said. The arrested beggars will be referred to responsible authorities for legal action, police said.
Begging is not only prohibited in Saudi Arabia, but it is also a social problem. Many of the country’s beggars are foreigners who came to Saudi Arabia looking for work but could not find one. Some people beg to survive.
The Saudi government has launched several initiatives to combat begging and address the root causes of the problem. These initiatives include vocational training programs for unemployed Saudis and the deportation of foreign beggars.
Despite these efforts, begging is still a problem in this country. Police are urging the public to report all instances of begging to authorities and warn that anyone who finds them will face legal action.
