Begging just got fashionable in Doha. Although the destitute are not a common sight here, some residents are pretending to be beggars and making money the easy way.
Even though begging is prohibited by law in Qatar, there has been an increase in the number of beggars in the country, even before Ramadan and Eid. With Ramadan approaching, will begging increase?
"Begging will definitely increase during Ramadan," said Saud Al Izbah, a lawyer. "In this country, people are known to be generous in giving. They never turn away a hand in need."
Some clever beggars identify rich and vulnerable people and then approach them either in their homes or on the streets. They get money by playing on the sympathies of the kind-hearted.
The modus operandi of these ‘fashionable beggars’ is to pick a victim, spin a sob story and win the person's sympathy. The ‘beggar’ narrates his/her tearful tale of how he/she lost his/her wealth and was living in penury. The unsuspecting victim gets moved, feels sorry for him/her and gives him/her some money.
This kind of begging has been going on in some prominent Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Sadly, it has started in Qatar too.
Consider the case of Alaa Asamarji, 25, a Sales Engineer in QBS-IBM, part of the MDS group, who was conned near his workplace by one such ‘beggar’. A young lady approached him and pleaded with him for money, citing her ailing mother's need for an operation as the excuse. Asamarji felt sorry for her and gave her QR200.
"At first I was surprised, since I've never seen such a beautiful beggar before," said Asamarji. "Usually, I don't give money to beggars since I prefer giving money to charitable organizations that take care of the poor. However, the lady was really convincing."
The next day, Asamarji was shocked when he spotted the beautiful young lady having a conversation on her cellphone in front of the company next door. She was using a Nokia N-95 mobile phone, an expensive feature-loaded gadget. After she finished her conversation, a Toyota bus arrived and she hopped into it.
According to Asamaji, the bus had around 10 women similarly dressed sitting inside. He suspects that they are part of a begging cartel.
Begging is on the rise in the most populated areas of Doha, like Al Mansoura, Al Matar (Airport area), Al Hilal and Al Muntazah. The beggars, mostly women accompanied by children, visit apartments and other buildings, including bachelor accommodation, knock or ring doorbells and ask for money from the tenants.
Most of the beggars are foreigners and arrive on tourist visas. "So far, not a single national has been found begging," said Colonel Musfir Al Ahbabi, Director of Criminal Research at the Ministry of Interior, according to a local Arabic daily.
Although the law states that beggars will face imprisonment for up to one year, the most effective way to control this phenomenon is to increase police patrols in residential areas and to not give money to beggars as it encourages begging. Officials say there are plenty of charitable organizations that can help those truly in need.
The Pen
The author 'Rasha' totally worded this article incorrectly.
Fashion...regardless, it's true and I'm going to highlight this on a seperate post.
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