MAKKAH – More than 2,000 beggars, including 273 children, have been rounded up by anti-begging officers in Makkah since the beginning of the new Hijri year. A Saudi beggar was caught as well. Mansour Al-Hazmi, director of the anti-begging office in Makkah, said residents contribute to the spread of this phenomenon when they give money to beggars. “It's simple: If beggars don't get money, they will stop begging," said Al-Hazmi. He called upon the general public to pay their zakat (alms-giving) to foundations and charitable organizations which distribute zakat to the needy.
