Campaign to curb begging in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: In cooperation with the ministries of state for national security affairs, human rights, justice and interior, the Iraqi Ministry of Labor will soon launch a campaign to stop panhandling in Baghdad’s streets. “As of January 12, the ministry will start a massive campaign to curb begging and homelessness in Baghdad city,” a ministerial statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency quoted a media advisor, Abdullah al-Lami, as saying. “A similar campaign, which was conducted in the holy Karbala province in mid-November 2008, was successful,” the statement added. Elderly panhandlers will be taken to the old people’s home and minors to juvenile rehabilitation centers, the statement added. SS (P) 1