Anti-begging law being considered as measure to end vagrancy

25 April 2006

Manama: Bahrain is considering enacting an anti-begging law that will provide better social care to vagrants and beggars and put an end to the growing phenomenon of homelessness and begging, the Bahrain News Agency reported on Sunday.

The law recommended, in a draft to the Cabinet by a social service and family ministerial committee, the construction of a new shelter for vagrants and beggars as a measure to minimise the negative impact of vagrancy and begging on society.

The draft was endorsed by the ministers at their weekly session on Sunday and referred to the legal affairs committee.

The draft was mentioned in a statement issued by the State Minister for Cabinet Affairs following the weekly session through the Bahrain News Agency.

The homeless and beggars will be housed in the shelter, according to the draft law, and receive social care as officials investigate their cases and look into ways to provide them with financial and social assistance.

Bahrain authorities, highly sensitive about maintaining hassle-free streets in Manama and major towns, are currently using the Muharraq Social Welfare Home to shelter the male and female beggars apprehended whilst begging.

The building, under the Ministry of Social Development, offers social, health, psychological, residential and recreational welfare services and assists the beggars to cease their activities after leaving.

Temporary care at "the home" allows beggars to reside there until the end of a specific period, while permanent care grants the rights to beggars who have no dwelling or breadwinner to reside permanently.

Although begging is not officially sanctioned, the Bahraini authorities have often turned a blind eye to the fully-covered women and old men who ask for alms at mosques on Fridays and particularly during Ramadan when Muslims tend to be more charitable.

The Ministry of Social Development and several charity funds and organisations provide monthly and seasonal assistance to more than 10,000 families.