95% of beggars in EP are elderly expats or kids

A woman and a boy beg for money at a street in the Saudi city of Dammam, in this 5 October 2007 file photo. (AFP)

JEDDAH: While begging takes place throughout the year on the Kingdom’s streets, it increases noticeably during the month of Ramadan, the 10 days of Dul Hijjah and during the Eids. At these special times, beggars exploit the tendency of people to perform acts of charity and do good deeds.
An official in the fight against begging in the Eastern Province said 95 percent of beggars that are caught are children or elderly expats. He noted that some, especially women, try to make the public believe they are Saudis so as not to reveal they are illegal residents. He said 25 percent of the women are aged 15 to 45, while children are usually aged 6 to 10. The total number of beggars has increased 10 percent over the past two years.
He said there was also a group of beggars aged 50 to 70; he emphasized that there are campaigns that fight begging on main streets, in some commercial centers and around mosques.
To take advantage of people, beggars also use social media, using any means or innovation in order to beg.
Some send their children to places near traffic lights where waiting drivers can be targeted; others show a fake electricity or medical bill to people near mosques and in commercial and housing areas.
A study showed that begging in Saudi Arabia has been on a steady increase over the past few years due to the rising numbers of people who cross the borders illegally or who overstay their visas after Haj or Umrah.