MUI Urges Government to Take Preventive Measures Against Seasonal Begging

Jakarta — The head of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Women, Youth and Family division, Siti Ma’rifah, has called on the government to take preventive measures to address the growing phenomenon of seasonal begging that often exploits children ahead of the Eid al-Fitr 1447 H celebrations.

“Beyond enforcement measures, there must also be preventive steps. So mentally, how do we teach (children) to become people whose hands are on top (giving),” said Siti Ma’rifah in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

The daughter of Vice President Ma’ruf Amin emphasised that children’s mentality and principles must be taught to make them givers rather than takers (seekers), as per Islamic teachings.

Nevertheless, Siti Ma’rifah believed that all parties must play a role in poverty alleviation as the root cause of seasonal begging that often exploits children.

“If this root problem is not solved (it will recur). So both the mental aspect and the root cause of poverty must be addressed together,” she said.

“It is not just about enforcement, but also about guidance, because these children are being exploited, it is not their choice. That is what requires a cross-sectoral approach,” she added.

Previously, Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo had instructed that during Ramadhan, the civil police (Satpol PP) units should enforce regulations against beggars and street cart operators in the capital.

“Because that does not reflect Jakarta as a global city. And alhamdulillah now there are practically no beggars on the streets like before,” Pramono said.