Begging in Baghdad Symbolizes a Dangerous Trend

[SocalDinar]

Begging in Baghdad Symbolizes a Dangerous Trend

07/06/2012 20:10:00 By JASIM ALSABAWI

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A woman beggar and her child sitting on a street in Baghdad. Photo Rudaw.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Ammar, aged 8, leaves his home early in the morning, carrying boxes of chewing gum and wandering on the street in the hot sun. He refused to take any money without giving me the gum he was selling, saying he was not a beggar.

Despite his young age, Ammar is aware that the word beggar does not apply to him because he is working for an honorable living, while many healthy adults take to begging as a means to get by.

"For the sake of al-Hussein, help me!" a woman, around 60 years old and sitting on the ground, said. The old woman covered her face; next to her was an unconscious girl, less than 10 years old.

"The government does not care about us, and if I don't ask people for help, who will provide for the orphans?" said the woman, who refused to give her name. "I am a sick woman and a mother of several orphan girls without a man to provide for us. Has the government ever wondered about us, the orphans and the poor?"

Ahmed Ammash, an education specialist says, "The phenomenon of begging in Iraqi society is not new. In many poor countries of the world, we find this to be a widespread phenomenon, but it is unfortunate that begging is so rampant in a country like Iraq which sits on huge wealth from oil."

You can barely pass through a crowded area without encountering a few beggars, especially women who have put veils on their faces to hide their identities due to shame, fear or other reasons. "Can I ask you a question?" beggars ask, stopping passersby on the street. If you say yes, they begin giving you details and stories you would never wish to hear.

A woman was standing with a young girl and asked this question to a young man who had stopped to listen. The woman showed him papers she claimed were prescriptions and said she needed cash to get medicine. The young man slipped his hand into his pocket and gave her some money. Once he had walked away, the woman began the process again with other people.

"If the government starts paying attention to this phenomenon and develops appropriate solutions, we will get rid of the most serious issue in society," said Hadi al-Jamil, owner of a clothing store in Karrada. "They even come to our homes in the afternoon and knock at our doors. They are everywhere and you find them wherever you go. I will go crazy because of this!" he added.

Researcher Fuad al-Suhaili has warned that this phenomenon creates a favorable environment for terrorism. Young men and children, especially beggars, become homeless and can then be adopted by organized criminal groups.

"There are children who use drugs and other illegal substances away from the supervision of their families. Keeping silent about this situation will only increase the magnitude of this disaster," added al-Suhaili.

He stressed the need to design social and economic projects to pull people out from the miserable reality in which they live. support and rehabilitation, according to al-Suhaili, could save society from a negative phenomenon before it escalates to a humanitarian catastrophe. Al-Suhaili called for strengthening the role of families.

"Seeing beggars on the streets has become one of the features of the new Iraq,” says Talib Salman, 39, an electrical equipment salesman. “If you ever pass through a street without encountering a beggar, it is either a miracle or you are not in Iraq.

Official statistics from the ministries of planning, labor and social affairs, and other international organizations, say that 20 to 25 percent of Iraqis live below the poverty line, and the number of unemployed exceeds 1.5 million people. The illiteracy rate in some provinces reaches 40 percent, and the dropout rate of students from school is up to 25 percent.

http://www.rudaw.net/english/news/iraq/4819.html

[KamelKeeper]

I have been concerned about the RV and making a million or two. At the moment, I feel vapid, shallow, humbled, and my soul is hungry.

Edited June 8, 2012 by KamelKeeper

[Realdinar]

" Ahmed Ammash, an education specialist says, "The phenomenon of begging in Iraqi society is not new. In many poor countries of the world, we find this to be a widespread phenomenon, but it is unfortunate that begging is so rampant in a country like Iraq which sits on huge wealth from oil." "

Wow! Revalue the money.

[Tennesseegirl]

As badly as I need this RV these people need it worse... There's always someone who has it worse than you do. Go RV!

[zigmeister]

I do like they are concerned and want to respond to the problem. I think this is a good sign of a country that wants life to improve for their people.

[Acepup]

I have been concerned about the RV and making a million or two. At the moment, I feel vapid, shallow, humbled, and my soul is hungry.

Amen!

The Dude abides...

[easyrider]

As badly as I need this RV these people need it worse... There's always someone who has it worse than you do. Go RV!

of course this is why we must bless others when this blessing occurs

[Tennesseegirl]

of course this is why we must bless others when this blessing occurs

Most definety !! That's the fun part well the tropical island vacation somewhere far far away will be kinda fun to

[countryroads]

The people who are in the government should have to live with these people, so they can get a taste of of what real Iraqis go through. Make them hold their sessions of Parliament in the streets where the citizens of Iraq can stand around them and see what the government does for them. Prayers for the people, and scorn for the government.

[zigmeister]

The people who are in the government should have to live with these people, so they can get a taste of of what real Iraqis go through. Make them hold their sessions of Parliament in the streets where the citizens of Iraq can stand around them and see what the government does for them. Prayers for the people, and scorn for the government.

You make a very good point countryroads, most if not all do not live in Iraq.

[Shelley]

of course this is why we must bless others when this blessing occurs

Very true Easy very true

[jg1]

The people who are in the government should have to live with these people, so they can get a taste of of what real Iraqis go through. Make them hold their sessions of Parliament in the streets where the citizens of Iraq can stand around them and see what the government does for them. Prayers for the people, and scorn for the government.

I'm learning, getting into the government is not for helping people but helping themselves. The more they tax, fine, make laws, create a larger government, the more programs and unions and insider information the more money the people working in the government get.

If they really cared, there would be no poverty, traffic, crowded schools and colleges, lots of jobs and our economy would be taking off.

If they really cared we would not need hand outs, food stamps, low income housing, ect; but how would government officials get re elected if it wasn't for the freebee's.