

CHENNAI: It's more than a fortnight since the month of Ramzan began and a regular stream of Indians has been heading to the Gulf countries, literally with begging bowls in hand. Reason: This is the time when alms (zakat) are given generously.

The huge money that can be made is a powerful magnet. Each beggar makes nearly Rs 6 lakh in the 30-day period, while the 'take' on Fridays can be as much as Rs 5,000, say officials.

Mohammad Amjad, 41, of Bihar, now in the UAE, said he made Rs 13,000 in the first two days of the holy month. The money is sent home through 'hawala' operators as people on visit visas cannot hold bank accounts.

A fortnight before Ramzan begins, says an emigration official, word is spread that agents are looking for people to travel to the Gulf. The amount charged varies from Rs 75, 000 in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to a little more than Rs 1 lakh in Tamil Nadu.

In Tamil Nadu, especially in places such as Rameswaram, Kilakarai, Kumbakonam, Chidambaram and Vellore, agents arrange 'packages', including air tickets, visas and accommodation, for around Rs 1.25 lakh.

The fact that begging is illegal all over the Gulf and those caught face hefty fines and jail terms has not acted as a deterrent. About 57 Indian beggars have been arrested in Saudi Arabia and 29, including many women, picked up in Dubai since July 10 when Ramzan began. All of them entered the UAE on visit visas.

As many as 20 police patrols have been deployed in Dubai as part of the annual anti-begging campaign. Similar arrangements have been rolled out in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. In 2012, nearly 650 beggars were arrested in Dubai, one-third of them during Ramzan. Bahrain, Muscat and Qatar are preferred 'destinations' during Ramzan.

Every year, hundreds of Indians, Pakistanis, Sudanese and Africans travel to the Gulf on such visits, with those from India and Pakistan forming the majority. 8Immigration officials at Chennai airport say they see familiar faces leaving the city at the beginning of each Ramzan and returning home after Eid .