Dubai authorities step up annual anti-begging campaign RamadanDubai Police announced the arrest of 37 beggars of different nationalities during the second week of Ramadan. The arrests are part of an ongoing law enforcement operation aimed at preventing individuals from taking advantage of the charitable spirit that traditionally marks the holy month of Ramadan.Officials said the arrests were carried out by the Suspicious Persons and Criminal Phenomena Unit of the General Directorate of Criminal Investigations in coordination with police stations across the emirate. The operation is part of the annual Fight Begging campaign, a coordinated initiative to combat illegal begging and raise awareness of appropriate channels for charitable giving.
begging Dubai steps up crackdown during Ramadan 2026
Ramadan is a time when Muslims around the world increase their charitable giving and acts of generosity. However, authorities said some people used the period to appeal to public sympathy to illegally enrich themselves.Brigadier General Ali Salim Al Shamsi, director of the department overseeing the operation, said the campaign aimed to curb such acts and maintain security and social order in the city. Police have observed that beggars often use emotionally manipulative tactics to attract donations, including using children, people with disabilities or people who pretend to be sick to gain sympathy.Authorities say the move has helped reduce panhandling cases over the years, along with increased enforcement and public awareness. A further 37 arrests were made the following week, following a further 37 arrests in the first days of Ramadan. In the first week alone, 26 beggars were arrested in the emirate as part of the same operation, underscoring the scale of the enforcement effort.
Dubai police step up crackdown as beggars target Ramadan generosity
Cases uncovered during the crackdown suggest that some individuals involved in begging may not actually be in financial difficulty. In one widely reported early case of the movement, authorities arrested a beggar who was found in possession of three luxury cars, illustrating how organized panhandling can sometimes be used as a profitable activity.In a separate incident, a suspect detained during Ramadan was found with thousands of dirhams collected over a short period of time, reinforcing police warnings that the public’s generosity can sometimes be exploited.
Wider United Arab Emirates crackdown on begging
The event is not limited to Dubai. Authorities across the United Arab Emirates have stepped up patrols and inspections during Ramadan as part of wider efforts to curb begging and related scams. For example, Ras Al Khaimah police arrested 19 beggars early in Ramadan, with one suspect reportedly receiving Dh11,000 in one day.Likewise, law enforcement in Sharjah reported the arrest of 95 people involved in begging since the start of Ramadan, signaling nationwide efforts to address the issue.
UAE laws impose severe penalties
Begging is considered a criminal offense under UAE law. Beggars could face up to three months in jail and a fine starting from Dh5,000, or both. Penalties are more severe for those who form an organized begging network or recruit others to beg, with possible jail terms of six months or more and fines of up to Dh100,000.
Dubai’s message for Ramadan this year: Donate to charity, not beggars
Authorities have also warned against online panhandling, in which individuals solicit money through social media or messaging platforms. If such digital complaints involve misleading claims or fraudulent fundraising, they may fall under cybercrime laws and be subject to additional penalties.
UAE public urged to donate through official charity
Police are urging residents and visitors not to donate directly to beggars but to support licensed charities to ensure donations reach those in real need. Officials also encourage the public to report begging incidents through official channels, including the police hotline 901, the ‘Police Eyes’ feature on the Dubai Police app or the e-Crime platform involving online begging cases.The authorities stressed that the purpose of the crackdown was not only to enforce the law but also to protect the true spirit of Ramadan. By preventing the exploitation of charitable impulses, officials hope to ensure that donations go to legitimate humanitarian causes rather than organized or deceptive panhandling.Police said they may step up surveillance in busy public areas, mosques, markets and residential areas as patrols continue throughout Ramadan, leading to the potential for more arrests.
