Qatar is well known around the world for its compassionate nature and huge support for charities working in different fields. While the national government often lends a helping hand to poorer nations, organisations like Qatar Charity ensure work continues at the grassroots level.

However, some people tend to take advantage of the kindness by begging on the streets, especially after Friday prayers and during the Holy month of Ramadan.    

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior (MoI), taking a strong stand against the practice, has urged people to report such cases to their Anti-Begging Section.

Begging is a bad habit and an uncivilized behaviour. Please report begging by calling
Anti-begging Section of the Criminal Investigation Department or through the Metrash2 app.

We appreciate your cooperation. #MOIQatar pic.twitter.com/8mxq9sKcML

— Ministry of Interior (@MOI_QatarEn) January 24, 2023

The anti-beggary law, which was passed in 2004 and updated in 2006, prescribes harsh punishments for people caught begging.

According to Qatar’s Article 1 of Law No. 28 of 2006, “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 offence shall be confiscated and a judgment of the stipulated penalty issued.”

The Anti-Begging Section conducts regular drives during Ramadan to nab beggars who exploit people’s sympathy to cheat them.

“You may call the Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-begging section on 2347444 - 33618627 or report them through Metrash2 app,” the MoI announced on its social media channels.

Anyone willing to donate to a good cause should do so by giving it to authorised charity organisations. Such organisations are better equipped to distribute charity properly due to their continued study of people in distress and need, the MoI said.

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