Article 1 of the Saudi Anti-Begging Law

This is the definitions article, which is the key to understanding the rest of the law; each term in it is understood in the sense defined for it wherever it appears in the law, unless the context indicates otherwise.

• The Minister and the Ministry: the Minister and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
• The Regulations: the Implementing Regulations of this law.
• Beggar: anyone who solicits in order to obtain another person's money, in cash or in kind, without consideration or for a consideration not intended for its own sake, directly or indirectly. This includes public places, private premises, and modern technology and communication means, indeed any means whatever.
• Professional beggar: anyone arrested for the second time or more while practicing begging.
• Aftercare: regular assistance and follow-up, formal or informal, provided to the beneficiary to complement treatment and empowerment plans, with the aim of correcting the beneficiary's behavior and integrating the beneficiary into society.

The most notable point is that the definition of a beggar is broad: it is not limited to someone who stretches out a hand in the street, but includes someone who asks for money over the internet or communication apps, and someone who offers a token consideration that is not intended for its own sake as a way of asking for money. The distinction between 'beggar' and 'professional beggar' is also important; the first describes anyone who practices soliciting, and the second applies specifically to someone arrested repeatedly. The law uses each term in its place, while Article 2 prohibits begging in all its forms and manners.