‘Megacity İstanbul has become city of beggars’
▻http://www.todayszaman.com/business_megacity-istanbul-has-become-city-of-beggars_378756.html
With the government having failed to set up a well-planned system to manage the refugee influx from Syria into Turkey, Istanbul has become a home for beggars who often affect daily life in the province by approaching citizens or settling in historical spots and thus denting the touristic appeal of the city, a union has said.
Pointing to the influx of Syrian refugees begging across the city, Nurettin Özgenç, the head of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Association (KOBİDER), asked, “Doesn’t the İstanbul administration comprehend the situation even when it is this bleak?”
Even as Turkey welcomes Syrian refugees across its lands, Turkish citizens are aware of their responsibility. “But are Syrians muhajirs [Muslims who migrate to flee religious persecution], refugees, guests or immigrants? If they are our guests, they should not be allowed to beg on the streets. If we host 1.5 million Syrians, why are we allowing some of them to beg? If we allow them to beg, why are we housing them? Guests are welcomed within the bounds of our resources; they are not made to beg from someone else,” Özgenç added
“KOBİDER urges for an immediate handling of the issue in order to save historic and touristy İstanbul from the image of a city of beggars,” Özgenç said.
