(MENAFN- Arab News) GIVING money to beggars in the street seems an easy way to do something nice. Pull out a few coins or a low denomination note and put it in the open hand. A mumbled blessing may come your way. But the real reward is in knowing that a little bit of good has been done. Alms have been given to the poor.

Or have they Reports that beggars at the holy sites during Haj earned as much as SR4000 a day from passing pilgrims have astonished many. Being given the equivalent of a thousand bucks a day for doing nothing more than sitting down with your hand out seems outrageous. Some of the poorer pilgrims who reached into their pocket books to give such beggars money probably didn't earn that much themselves in at least half a year of honest toil.

It could be argued with some justice that these are exceptional returns because of the sheer number of people visiting the holy sites during the Haj pilgrimage. Not only this but at the spiritual high point of their lives pilgrims will be remembering the fundamental teaching of Islam that they should give alms to the poor. They will have given what they can afford and be glad to have done so.

Nevertheless wherever they are found be it here in the Kingdom or elsewhere in the world beggars are in truth a menace. Their well-rehearsed pathetic demeanor and woe-filled pleas amount to moral blackmail. And blackmail is a crime. In some great cities such as Kolkata begging is an organized industry run by criminals who exploit helpless infants and widows. Children have actually been deliberately maimed to boost their tragic appeal. Despite the best efforts of police and doormen beggars will flock around guests as they leave their hotels. What makes such crimes even more unacceptable is that very little if indeed any of the money collected by these luckless souls is actually kept by them.

It is fortunate that begging is not as pervasive and intrusive in Saudi Arabia. But it is here despite the best efforts of the authorities. And there is evidence that it is very often organized. It appears that gangs of beggars have turf wars over the best and most profitable locations. A mendicant squatting sadly in a 'poor' pitch perhaps without shade and a limited number of passersby is just possibly in genuine need rather than part of a criminal conspiracy to gull the public.

The question that vexes law officers and civic authorities around the world is how to stop the beggars. Arresting them confiscating their wheedled gains and sentencing them to short jail terms clearly do not work. Such setbacks are seen as occupational hazards. They will be back on the streets as soon as they are released.

Yet the answer actually seems very clear. There would be no beggars if there were no one to give them money. If the majority of people who now stop and hand over a little cash quit the practice the returns from beggary would plunge. Once there is no money in it begging will become a rarity if it does not indeed stop altogether.

This may seem like a tough call for those who have become used to doling out small sums to people in the street. They may regret the chance to experience that rewarding feeling of having done some good. Harsh though it may seem in fact this response borders on selfishness. Giving money in this way is actually often a defense against engaging more closely with these street people. 'Take this and go away' may accurately sum up the attitude.

In truth giving alms to the poor actually involves a bit more in the way of trouble and effort. There are many charitable organizations that gather in funds which they use to protect house and feed truly needy people. They are always in search of donations. They also need volunteers able to give up their time to help. This is where generosity can really make a difference. It impacts directly on the poor people who need it. The benefit is entirely genuine.

Therefore the next time good people see a beggar in the street they should ignore the outstretched palm and the pitiful cries. Instead they should go and give the money that they once would have given to the beggar to a reputable charity. They could even tell the beggar that they are giving their cash to such-and-such charity. If the person needs help they should go there to get it.