Ramadan Special: When every square in Kashmir becomes home to countless beggars

By Hirra Azmat

Srinagar, May 23: A neatly dressed couple, speaking in chaste Urdu, seems to be loitering on the Jhelum Bund near Polo View here.

They stop every passerby and talk with them animatedly for a few minutes, apparently asking for some address. Only stepping closer to them reveals the truth: they are beggars, and not from Kashmir.

“We have travelled all the way from Ajmer. Don’t disappoint us in this holy month. Give us some money, and we promise to do for you a special dua at the shrine,” they make an emotional appeal.

They appear to be the members of a racket thriving on the alms paid in plenty by the Muslims in holy Ramadan.

At the same spot, this reporter was approached by another well-dressed, bearded man after a short while.

Smelling of freshly applied Attar (non-alcoholic perfume), he pulls out a booklet from his black canvas bag.

“Here is a small gift for you. Make sure you memorize this book of duas this month. They will surely benefit you in the future,” he said, and asked confidently for Rs 100 in exchange.

At a nearby traffic signal, a group of youngsters besieges this reporter, holding yellow receipt books. They claim to work for an orphanage.

On being enquired about the organisation, they return vague and evasive answers.

During Ramadan, begging reaches its in Muslim-majority Kashmir Valley, where the believers indulge in charity during the holy month. However, there are organisations and individuals who seek to profit from it.

Islamic jurists asked people to verify credentials before doing charity.

Mufti Ishaaq Nazki, of Bandipora, conceded that there were a number of people and faked institutions that take advantage of this month to exploit the religious and charitable sentiments.

“The charitable work increases considerably in this month and such begging syndicates know how to make money out of it,” Nazki said.

Nazki said the people displaying documents for seeking money from the people, should be excluded.

“It’s okay to give money to them. However, there are many who, despite having illnesses, are capable of working and yet they choose to beg,” he said.

Nazki said Muslims are encouraged to be more charitable in this month.

“However, charity should begin from home,” he said.

“People should check if anyone among their relatives or neighbours is in a difficult position, and they shall try to reach out to them first.”

Expressing concern, Nazki said there were many “organised groups” sending their members in the guise of beggars or fund raisers to exploit the “philanthropic initiative” and “generosity” of the people in Kashmir.

“They mostly include fraudsters claiming to be a part of some Darul uloom or orphanage. They can even be non-local beggars,” he claimed.

He urged people to refrain from giving money to such people, as there was no way to find out the truth about them.

Mufti Zia Ul Haq, of Bijbehara, has similar views.

“We have to first look for needy within own family and then in the neighbourhood. If we don’t find one, we shall look for others for Sadqa Fitrana and Zakaat,” he said.

“Begging has become a business for many people for the holy month of Ramadan. People should be cautious while doing charity.”

Expressing helplessness over this issue, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan said it was up to the people to decide.

“There is no way for us to find out the authenticity of a particular person (beggar),” Khan said.

He, however, said the people should complaint to the authorities concerned if they find anything objectionable.