Muscat: The media campaign, implemented by the Ministry, in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police, and other government agencies, as well as governmental and private media companies and banks, aims to raise community awareness and to mobilize partner agencies in dealing with and reporting cases of begging.

The campaign targets all segments of society through print, audio and visual media, social media platforms, SMS broadcasts and influencers on social media platforms, in addition to external advertisements.

In its messages, the campaign will focus on community awareness on the causes of begging, such as the ease of obtaining money without making an effort, the practice of begging as a habit despite having a source of income, community support and sympathy for beggars, as well as poor upbringing, negative environment, family issues and divorce, and drug and alcohol addiction.

The campaign also focuses on introducing different types of begging, including electronic and seasonal; it will also focus on spreading community awareness on the effects of begging, like the failure of zakat funds and alms reaching those who deserve, exploitation of children and the occurrence of accidents, increase in cases of fraud and thefts, and increase in crimes and associated criminal activities such as drug trafficking and money laundering.

The campaign will raise awareness to correct misconceptions about the motives for giving to beggars in terms of religious motives represented in giving alms to those who deserve it, social motives through the concept of social solidarity, and humanitarian motives influenced by direct communication and with the aim of contributing to improving the condition of individual beggars.