Doha: The begging incidents in Qatar were particularly prevalent during the 2022 World Cup and Ramadan time, according to First Lieutenant Fahad Jassim Al-Mansoori of the Ministry of Interior's Criminal Investigation Department.
During an interview with Qatar Radio, Al-Mansoori said that because the World Cup was a period when Qatar was open to welcoming many visitors from all over the world, it was only inevitable that begging cases would become more prevalent.
The First Lieutenant also revealed that some people arrived in Qatar for the sole purpose of begging.
“You have a person who might be self-sufficient; they come to the country and take advantage of people’s emotions,” said Al-Mansoori.
Beggars try to prey on people’s emotions by using children, fake medical reports, and even fake injuries, said the ministry official.
He added that the penalty for the offense of begging on roads and public places is a one-year prison sentence.
In efforts to combat the phenomenon, the ministry has deployed patrols in places where beggars are frequent such as car parks, condominiums, stores, and mosques; the latter particularly during Ramadan.
Surveillance cameras as well as security campaigns are also other methods used by the ministry to apprehend beggars.
Qatar’s Article 1 of Law No. 28 of 2006 states that: "Whoever begs in roads or public places, leads or encourages minors to beg shall be punished with imprisonment for a term up to one year.
Or, in lieu of the said penalty, the beggar can be housed in one of the correction facilities made for this purpose. In all cases, the money resulting from the offense shall be confiscated and a judgment of the stipulated penalty issued."
To report incidents of begging, contact the Anti-begging section at 33618627 / 2347444, or report via the Metrash2 app.
