Interior Ministry: Reporting beggars is a national duty; official donation channels
The Saudi Ministry of Interior reiterated its call for citizens and residents to actively participate in reporting beggars, considering this a national duty that contributes to protecting society and its security. In its latest statement, the Ministry stressed the importance of not being deceived by the appearances of professional beggars who seek to elicit sympathy, emphasizing that the proper way to do good is through official, approved channels.
A comprehensive strategy and legal framework to combat the phenomenon
This call comes within the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's ongoing and concerted efforts to eradicate the phenomenon of begging, which is no longer merely an individual act but has often transformed into an organized activity managed by criminal groups. The Kingdom has reinforced these efforts by issuing the "Anti-Begging Law" by a Cabinet decision, which established clear legal frameworks to criminalize this act and define deterrent penalties for violators, whether they are beggars themselves, instigators, or accomplices. These laws aim to address the root causes of the phenomenon and ensure that financial aid is directed to those truly in need through thorough social research conducted by the relevant authorities.
Mechanism for reporting beggars and emergency numbers
The Ministry, through its official account on the "X" platform, clarified the approved reporting mechanisms, allocating easy-to-remember numbers to ensure a rapid response. Citizens and residents can report beggars in the Makkah, Riyadh, Eastern Province, and Madinah regions by calling the unified number (911), while the number (999) has been designated for reports in the rest of the Kingdom. Security authorities confirmed that all reports are handled with complete confidentiality, without any legal repercussions for the reporter, encouraging community members to cooperate with security personnel.
Safe donation and security and social dimensions
In light of the technological advancements in the Kingdom, relevant authorities have provided reliable digital donation platforms such as "Ihsan" and "Farajet," among others, ensuring that funds reach those most in need with complete transparency and trustworthiness. Eliminating indiscriminate begging has significant security and social dimensions; it helps to cut off funding sources that could be exploited for suspicious or criminal activities, and it enhances the Kingdom's civilized image in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which focuses on quality of life and public order. Public awareness of the dangers of begging and the importance of channeling charitable donations through official channels is the cornerstone of the success of these national campaigns.
