Saudi Arabia has taken a firm step to confront the growing problem of organized and professional begging, reframing the issue not as a matter of poverty alone but as one of public order, exploitation, and abuse of charitable sentiment.
Under newly implemented legislation, anyone who turns begging into a profession now faces up to six months in prison, a fine of as much as 50,000 Saudi Riyals, or both.
The law goes beyond the individual on the street. It targets the entire chain that sustains begging as an organized activity, including those who encourage it, coordinate it, or provide any form of assistance.
Authorities say this broader scope is deliberate, aimed at dismantling networks that profit from deception and, in many cases, prey on children, the elderly, and vulnerable foreign residents.
Officials have emphasized that professional begging often contradicts Islamic values, which promote dignity, self-reliance, and structured charity.
Rather than discouraging generosity, the policy seeks to redirect it. Citizens and residents are urged to give through recognized zakat and charitable institutions, where support can be verified, accountable, and directed to those genuinely in need.
By enforcing these measures across the Kingdom, regardless of nationality, Saudi Arabia is signaling zero tolerance for the commercialization of begging while reinforcing a system that protects the vulnerable and preserves the integrity of charitable giving. The move reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that kindness is not exploited and that help reaches its rightful destination.
