Authorities want fatwa against giving alms to beggars

AMMAN — The Ministry of Social Development has addressed the General Iftaa Department to issue a fatwa (Islamic edict) forbidding people to give alms to beggars, a ministry official said on Thursday.

  Fawaz Ratrout, the ministry’s spokesperson, said this measure is part of the ministry’s efforts to curb the phenomenon.

  Giving money to beggars encourages them to go back on the streets, even after being apprehended and released, he said.

  According to Ratrout, the ministry — in coordination with other concerned authorities — is currently working on amending Article 389 of the Penal Code that governs anti-vagrancy efforts.

  Under Article 389, beggars and peddlers above the age of 18 are subject to a fine, while repeat offenders face a maximum prison sentence of two weeks.

  In 2013, the ministry referred 1,399 beggars to court, and 1,121 to governors, and is providing care to 450 who are under the age of 18, Ratrout noted.

  Of the total adult beggars apprehended last year, 85 per cent were Jordanians and 58.76 were women, according to the ministry’s figures.

  Although the amendments to Article 389 are yet to be drafted, a major issue that should be addressed is to differentiate between a beggar and a peddler, as the former is the responsibility of the ministry while the latter is under the jurisdiction of municipalities, Ratrout said.

  The authorities detain 1,500 beggars annually, he added.

  Adult beggars apprehended by authorities are referred to police stations and then to court in accordance with the Penal Code, while juveniles are referred to care centres affiliated with the ministry, where they undergo rehabilitation.