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AGARALAM, South Sumatra: The Indonesian Ulema Council of Pagaralam city, South Sumatra, said Sunday that it has declared begging haram, or forbidden.

Pagaralam MUI head Deni Priansyah said beggars degrade humanity in the eyes of the people as well as God.

He said that begging was ubiquitous during Ramadan.

Islam encourages giving to the underprivileged especially during the fasting month, making begging lucrative.

“We see indications that the beggars, who are almost everywhere, are organized. There is a mastermind behind this,” Deni said as quoted by Antara.

Deni said Islam prohibited Muslims from things that degrade their dignity and that the government must address poverty to avoid moral degradation. — JP