Kuwait to Deport Expats Caught Begging During Ramadan

Kuwait has launched a crackdown on begging during Ramadan, with authorities arresting 11 expatriates and announcing their immediate deportation.

The Interior Ministry reported that the offenders included eight women and three men of Arab and Asian nationalities. Some had entered the country on visit visas or family residency permits, while others were undocumented workers with no legal employment.

Strict Measures Against Violators and Employers

The General Department of Residence Affairs Investigations has been tasked with handling the deportation process. Dependents caught begging will be expelled alongside their sponsors, while private sector workers found guilty will be deported, and their employers penalized. Domestic workers engaged in begging will also be deported, with their sponsors banned from obtaining future labor visas.

Authorities are also cracking down on companies that illegally hire workers who later turn to begging, warning of strict penalties for violations.

Legal Action Against Child Exploitation and Social Media Begging

The ministry has issued a strong warning against individuals using children to gain public sympathy through begging, stating that offenders will face charges of child exploitation. Additionally, authorities are monitoring social media platforms for cases of online begging, with violators facing legal consequences.

Ramadan Patrols Targeting Public Spaces

Begging typically increases during Ramadan due to acts of charity associated with the holy month. To curb the practice, Kuwait has deployed special patrols to monitor markets, mosques, and residential areas, particularly before Iftar, when beggars often seek donations from worshippers and residents.

Authorities urge the public to report any instances of begging, emphasizing that charitable donations should be directed through official and approved channels.