29 May 2017
Security tightened to get rid of 'begging for alms' phenomenon

Kuwait City - Security around the country has been tightened to get rid of the ‘begging for alms’ phenomenon since more and more people take to begging especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Citizenship and Passport Affairs Major- General Lieutenant Sheikh Mazen Al-Jarrah has given clear instructions to deport entire families along with children if either the mother or father is caught begging.

If expatriates under company residence are caught begging, the senior Interior Ministry official said strict action will be taken against the company including closure of the company labor file.

Those caught begging while on visit visa, the sponsor will be punished and in the case of a company, the company’s labor file will be closed.

The source pointed out women police will take part in combating the menace of begging during Ramadan and plainclothes police will be deployed in several areas which are known for this phenomenon, including the commercial areas, mosques and major markets. Al-Jarrah pointed out the Interior Ministry has called upon citizens and expatriates to report any such incidents of beggary.

The source added the security authorities are now more experienced in fighting the menace of begging and will be concentrating on industrial areas such as Shuwaikh and Sulaibiya.

© Arab Times 2017