Charity Culture Becomes a Magnet for Seasonal Beggars in Bogor

BOGOR, KOMPAS.com — Every Ramadan, Bogor’s main streets are once again crowded with seasonal beggars. This phenomenon is clearly visible on Jalan Padjajaran and Jalan Panduraya. The beggars, whether sitting to beg or hauling sacks and pushing carts, appear to seize the moment of public charity. The phenomenon is not only about poverty or everyday needs. The fasting month is regarded as a time full of reward and goodness, prompting people to give more, whether money, food, or takjil for breaking the fast. The increasing intensity of almsgiving makes seasonal beggars more numerous and more visible than on ordinary days, because the supply of people’s kindness increases significantly. “Almost in all sermons from religious leaders in mosques, on television, they urge people to strive to do good in this Ramadan. One of the good deeds is helping others, giving alms, and there will also be zakat al-fitr at the end of Ramadan,” said Rissalwan when contacted on Wednesday (4/3/2026). This sharing tradition forms an annual cycle that is part of the society’s social culture. Many people are driven to give more, not only to relatives but also to those considered more in need. “During the homecoming period later it may be for relatives, but when people go to the mosque there are many calls to help more brothers and sisters who are more in difficulty,” he explained. According to Rissalwan, the difference can be seen in terms of the supply and demand of alms. He notes that seasonal beggars are actually more numerous than ordinary beggars because public motivation to give rises significantly during Ramadan. “As if the reward for giving is not great, during Ramadan he feels he will receive a greater reward. He will be more frequent even if the amount does not increase, but the frequency increases,” said Rissalwan. He said that the rising frequency of almsgiving makes seasonal beggars appear more numerous and sometimes cluster at strategic points. Their numbers can even exceed those of beggars outside Ramadan.