The Human Resource Development and Empowerment Initiative (HRDEI) Centre in Kaduna has spoken against the proposed Almajiri Commission.
Mohammed Ali, the centre’s executive director, made a speech on Sunday in Kaduna in which he advocated for the complete prohibition of the practice.
The House of Representatives passed the bill creating the commission on Almajiri and other out-of-school children on second reading last month.
Most “kid beggars” are students in Qur’anic schools (Tsangaya), where they have been entrusted to the care of Islamic professors to learn the Qur’an.
Ali has declared that people should not give money to beggars on the street since it is a problem for society, the economy, and the environment.
The director expressed concern over the prevalence of homeless people in public spaces such as shopping centres, parking lots, places of worship, residential areas, ceremonial sites, etc.
Ali went on to say that begging is a symptom of sloth, mental dependence, and an oppressive consciousness.
A bold move “to act and disabuse the minds of Nigerians who think or believe that Islam approves of begging” was something he asked the government to do.