MAKKAH — Large numbers of women and children begging in the streets of Makkah have moved to the outskirts of the city away from the eyes of the authorities, the Makkah daily reported. The paper said quoting a police source that the number of beggars is increasing every and many of them are spotted at gas stations and on highways. "Most of the beggars are now women and children. The women use children to gain people's sympathy. Beggars also try to fool people by pretending to be disabled. They sometimes present fake papers and documentations to validate whatever lie they are telling," said the source. Crime researcher Halah Al-Harthy said beggars are turning into a social problem in Makkah. "It is not just that they are increasing in numbera, but also the committees and authorities responsible for arresting beggars are not doing their job. They only take action when beggars stir up a fight or cause trouble. Other than that, they just stand in the streets watching the beggars instead of arresting them," said Al-Harthy. Public Relations Director at the Social Affairs Ministry Ahmad Al-Ghamdi said a special committee needs to be set up to discuss the problem. "There are many factors that contribute to the phenomenon. Beggars are typically expatriates who are in the country illegally. They cannot obtain a job so they end up begging," said Al-Ghamdi. He said beggars can be intruders into the Kingdom, Haj and Umrah overstayers or refugees of war from nearby countries. "The special committee should be formed in cooperation with the police, the Passport Department and the Ministry of Social Affairs' Anti-Beggary Office. We need a collective effort to effectively tackle the issue," said Al-Ghamdi. He added that foreigners arrested for begging will be immediately deported and if the beggars were Saudis they will be referred to the Ministry of Social Affairs' Anti-Beggary Office for further procedures.
