Eastleigh mosques witness surge in number of beggars during Ramadan
The influx of beggars has not only affected mosque entrances but has also spilt over into residential areas, where beggars roam the streets, soliciting aid from residents.
The number of beggars in Eastleigh has drastically increased over the last few weeks, creating challenges for both worshippers and residents alike. This surge, particularly experienced during prayer times, has raised concerns among locals and religious leaders.
During prayer hours, mosques in Eastleigh become inundated with beggars seeking alms from worshippers exiting after prayers.
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Friday congregational prayers, in particular, witness a significant increase in beggars, with hundreds lining up outside major mosques, capitalizing on the larger congregations that gather on this holy day.
Among the beggars are women with children strapped to their backs and elderly individuals in wheelchairs, all extending their hands in hopes of receiving monetary assistance. Some of these women, despite not being Muslim, put on hijabs and long clothing to blend in with the Muslim population, while others go a step further by wearing niqabs to hide their faces.
The influx of beggars has not only affected mosque entrances but has also spilt over into residential areas, where beggars roam the streets, soliciting aid from residents.
The number of beggars has drastically increased because they understand that during the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to be more generous towards those in need and give out to the less fortunate.
Yunis Hussein, a regular attendee at Masjid Sahaba on Eastleigh's 12th Street, expressed frustration over the growing presence of beggars.
"We want to help them, but they block the mosque entrances, making it difficult for us to exit," said Yunis, echoing the sentiments of many worshippers.
An investigation by Eastleigh Voice revealed that a majority of the beggars hail from neighboring countries, with Tanzanians leading in the number of beggars in Eastleigh. Unlike beggars from other regions, those from Tanzania are often handicapped, further highlighting the dire circumstances driving individuals to beg on the streets.
The prevailing economic hardships have contributed to the increasing number of beggars, as many individuals opt for this as a means of survival in the face of limited opportunities.
Despite the challenges posed by the influx of beggars, mosque Imams have consistently emphasized the importance of charity in Islam, urging residents to extend a helping hand to those less fortunate.
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