A man begs for alms on a street in Dubai. EXPAT MEDIA

Family on visit visa arrested in Dubai for begging near mosque

Five members of a family on visit visa have been arrested in Dubai after they were caught begging near a mosque, according to Dubai Police. The two brothers, their wives and a child were begging near a mosque and claiming they were disabled. They were among 116 beggars arrested in Dubai in the first half of Ramadan. Major General Jamal Salem Al Jallaf, director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation, said the family of beggars used "deceptive and theatrical gestures" to gain sympathy from passers-by. Al Jallaf said that among the 116 people arrested were 59 men and 57 women. Begging is illegal in the UAE and offenders face a fine and jail time. Police have repeatedly warned the public to avoid giving money to beggars, and donate only to authorized charity institutions. ICA/Expat Media
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