make a trip from Iran by boat, risking prosecution to beg for money house to house at a time of year when Muslims are most focused on charity. Police warn against giving to the many beggars who illegally take advantage of residents' generosity.
The women travel in a small boat to the capital from a village in southern Iran to take advantage of the spirit of giving that is strongly tied to Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr.
They know it is illegal – begging for money and food, from door to door – and that they risk prosecution if they are caught by police, who have launched their annual clampdown.
Senior police have asked the public not to encourage beggars, but to send their donations to charitable organisations where they can be assured that their charity will go to good causes.
But despite the risk, each Ramadan beggars from overseas arrive in the UAE to plead for money. They are usually found hanging about near mosques.
In many Abu Dhabi neighbourhoods it is common to see beggars going from house to house in groups.
“Every year we come,” says Amina, 35, a mother of three and one of the six Iranian beggars.
“Usually we get Dh5 or Dh10 when we roam around the houses. This year I am afraid to go to the houses, afraid of getting caught by police.”
The women say they hope that by the end of their stay they can return home with a few thousand dirhams of donations.
Amina says her husband suffers from health problems and cannot work, which also means they cannot afford treatment for him.
“My children are always hungry. Where can I feed them from?” she asks. “My family members won’t allow me to work and my husband can’t work. I wanted to be a janitor, only to be able to keep my children comfortable.”
In their village, the women say they live in small houses of wood covered with mud, with no running water or sewerage system. They say they cannot afford electricity, education or health care.
To get to Abu Dhabi, they say they paid about Dh1,000 each for passage across the Arabian Gulf, money that they do not have and usually borrow from other people.
“We also have to get a visa but it is more expensive, so we ask the men to wait until we get back and we pay them from what we have,” Amina says. She and her relatives arrived in Abu Dhabi in the week before Ramadan and are staying at another relative’s house, where they work for the money she gives them.
Her sister, Zahra, says her husband used to come to Abu Dhabi to beg years ago but has been caught by police.
He was let go after three days and deported immediately, so Zahra says she is now the breadwinner for her family.
“What I find I get from the good people here. If we are not in need we will not come,” she says.
Another beggar, Jameela, 23, says she married when she was 18 but her husband’s reluctance to work is forcing her to beg in Abu Dhabi.
“My husband is very good, always praising Allah, but he doesn’t work. I keep crying and telling him I will not live with him,” Jameela says.
Education in their little village is very expensive, and many children grow up without basic reading and writing skills, making it even more difficult to find a job.
“I came to Abu Dhabi this year to raise money for a sewing machine,” Jameela says. “I want to make dresses for the people in my village.
“But for the brides, I will make them for free because most are orphans, so they can’t afford it.”
The women say that, although some householders are rude, many are generous.
“People in the UAE who know of our circumstances are very kind,” says Amina. “They give us rice, oil and money.
“We don’t want anything, only to be comfortable. Only Allah is with us, and the few people that are helping us.”
Maj Gen Khamis Al Muzeina, chief of Dubai Police, warned anyone caught begging would be subject to legal procedures.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
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Healthy tips to remember
Here, Dr Mohamed El Abiary, paediatric consultant at Al Zahra Hospital Dubai, shares some advice for parents whose children are fasting during the holy month of Ramadan:
Gradual fasting and golden points - For children under the age of 10, follow a step-by-step approach to fasting and don't push them beyond their limits. Start with a few hours fasting a day and increase it to a half fast and full fast when the child is ready. Every individual's ability varies as per the age and personal readiness. You could introduce a points system that awards the child and offers them encouragement when they make progress with the amount of hours they fast
Why fast? - Explain to your child why they are fasting. By shedding light on the importance of abstaining from food and drink, children may feel more encouraged to give it there all during the observance period. It is also a good opportunity to teach children about controlling urges, doing good for others and instilling healthy food habits
Sleep and suhoor - A child needs adequate sleep every night - at least eight hours. Make sure to set a routine early bedtime so he/she has sufficient time to wake up for suhoor, which is an essential meal at the beginning of the day
Good diet - Nutritious food is crucial to ensuring a healthy Ramadan for children. They must refrain from eating too much junk food as well as canned goods and snacks and drinks high in sugar. Foods that are rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins, like fruits, fresh meats and vegetables, make for a good balanced diet
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If you go
Flying
Despite the extreme distance, flying to Fairbanks is relatively simple, requiring just one transfer in Seattle, which can be reached directly from Dubai with Emirates for Dh6,800 return.
Touring
Gondwana Ecotours’ seven-day Polar Bear Adventure starts in Fairbanks in central Alaska before visiting Kaktovik and Utqiarvik on the North Slope. Polar bear viewing is highly likely in Kaktovik, with up to five two-hour boat tours included. Prices start from Dh11,500 per person, with all local flights, meals and accommodation included; gondwanaecotours.com