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Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested
Beggar with Dh22,000 one of 72 arrested Staff Reporter / 4 August 2013 As many as 72 people of different nationalities have been arrested by the Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Directorate for begging, with several found with thousands of dirhams. One of the arrested beggars was found with Dh22,000 on him while another had Dh14,000, the directorate said, noting the pair were both Arab nationals who had gained the large amount in a short period of time. Of the 72 arrested, of whom 64 were males and eight were females, 33 were residing in the country illegally or in violation of the residency law. Their ages ranged between 21 and 71. The clampdown and arrests was due to the efforts of the anti-begging teams during the holy month of Ramadan with the cooperation of members of the public. The Directorate said there would be no tolerance with people found begging. “Begging is absolutely unacceptable and we will strictly confront it by tracking down and arresting the (perpetrators),” said Abu Dhabi Metropolitan Police Director Brigadier Maktoum Al Sharifi. The anti-begging squads aim to raise awareness amongst the members of the society and urge them not to take pity on such people, who use different approaches and methods to gain sympathy and money. “Begging is an open door for committing crime due,” he said, referring to thefts often committed by beggars who gained entry or were invited into others’ houses. He urged Emiratis and expatriates not to allow beggars to enter their accommodation, and not to pity them. Brigadier Al Sharifi said the public were aware of the reality of beggars as a result of the awareness campaigns by police. He urged the public not to hesitate in reporting beggars by calling the Operations Room (999) or any police station during Ramadan and on normal days, round the clock. Meanwhile, Sharjah Police arrested 191 illegals including 56 Arab beggars as part of its campaign targeting those who practice illegal jobs, mobile vendors and infiltrators. The police arrested mobile vendors who walk around in the streets, squares and public areas selling fake products and expired food items. Some of the illegals arrested were gathering and collecting cans and cardboards. afkarali@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
The Night of Power arrives
The Night of Power arrives Ahmed Shaaban / 4 August 2013 Want to have all your sins forgiven? Want to start a new chapter? Want to get closer to God? Want to add more than 83 years of worship to your life? It’s simple, by maximising worship on Lailat Al Qadr (The night of power). Though all days and nights of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status stressed in the recommendations and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), particularly the night of August 4 (27th night of Ramadan ) or Al Qadr Night that is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims. Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy said Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to keep himself and his wives busy in acts of worship during these blessed days which may lead to a man’s release from hell and help him secure a high position in Paradise. “These acts of worships are praying, supplicating, reading the Quran, performing Zikr (Remembrance of God), giving charity, and taking part in a spiritual retreat called ‘Itekaf’, where you spend all ten days in the mosque reading the Quran and praying.” Seeking Laylat Al Qadr, particularly on the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan, is highly advised by the Prophet. “That night of power, honour and grace is better in virtue and reward than a sincere worship of a thousand months as stipulated in Chapter 79/3,” Dr Ashmawy said. Shaikh Mahmoud Marei, Imam of Al Huda Mosque, said there are some signs by which the night of Laylat Al Qadr is identified. “As the Prophet quoted, it is a pleasant and bright night, neither hot nor cold, and the sun rises red, weak with no visible rays the following day.” Shaikh Mohammed Al Arabi, Imam of Al Tawheed Mosque, said Allah forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this great night — when the Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) — out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him. Certain Duas (supplications) are also recommended on this night. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Mursi supporters signals flexibility in talks
Mursi supporters signals flexibility in talks (Reuters) / 4 August 2013 Allies of deposed Egyptian President Mohammed Mursi told mediators on Saturday they respected the popular will expressed in mass protests that led to his downfall, suggesting they might be backing away from a demand he be reinstated. Tarek El-Malt, spokesman for the pro-Mursi delegation that met envoys from the United States and the European Union, said his camp sought a resolution to Egypt’s crisis based on the constitution that was suspended after he was deposed. Speaking to Reuters by telephone, Malt said Mursi’s allies told the envoys they wanted the constitution restored and said it held “more than one solution” to the crisis. He added that General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the army chief who overthrew Mursi, must not be part of a political deal without Mursi. Asked whether the delegation had told the envoys that Mursi must be reinstated, Malt said that would be worked out in the details, notably not reiterating the demand for his return. “This is part of the political initiatives,” he said. “We did not get into the details of the political initiatives”. He said if those who opposed Mursi continued to insist that he should not be part of the “political equation”, then “the steadfastness and sit-ins of the millions in the streets for five weeks requires that Sisi must also not be in the political equation.” A member of the Muslim Brotherhood-allied Wasat Party, Malt is the appointed spokesman of the delegation that met with US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, US Ambassador Anne Patterson and European Union special envoy Bernardino Leon. The delegation also includes top members of the Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP). Later, senior Brotherhood politician Essam El Erian said restoring the 2012 constitution meant Mursi would see out his term. However, diplomats say the Brotherhood understands Mursi, detained at a secret location, will not return as president but they want a face-saving legal formula for him to step down. “Those empowered to speak for the FJP understand that Mursi is not coming back. But they are maintaining that as a negotiating position,” a Western diplomat said. Another diplomat involved in the talks said pro-Mursi alliance had shown flexibility in Saturday’s meeting. Relaying the messages delivered to the envoys, Malt said: “I respect and hold in regard the demands of the masses that went out on June 30, but I will not build on the military coup.” He added that the demands of the Mursi supporters must also be respected. Mursi supporters still protesting in Cairo want the constitution and Mursi reinstated. “We have the readiness and flexibility to accept political solutions to get out of this crisis as long as they are based on constitutional legitimacy, by which we mean the return and reactivation of the 2012 constitution,” Malt said. He added that political solutions must be hammered out with the National Salvation Front – the loose coalition of parties that backed Mursi’s overthrow and which includes interim Vice-President Mohamed ElBaradei. “We (will) sit together and we will assess proposed political initiatives and reach solutions that respect all popular desires. But the army will not have a role in political solutions,” he said. “The army must remain neutral and not interfere in political life,” he added. Malt said a period of calm was needed to build confidence among all parties. He said this would include a renunciation of violence, the release of what he called political detainees and allowing Islamist television stations to reopen. The army-backed government says the Brotherhood has incited violence, accusing it of engaging in terrorism. Malt said the delegation had underscored the pro-Mursi camp’s commitment to peaceful protests. Continue reading
