Ramadan: 20 arrested for eating in public

Authorities in Kano State have arrested 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public during Ramadan, the state’s Hisbah Board has said.

The board, which enforces Islamic morality laws in Kano, also detained five individuals accused of selling food during fasting hours, local media reported.

Ramadan, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, requires Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset for a month. This year’s fast is expected to conclude on Sunday, 30 March.

Deputy Commander of Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, confirmed the arrests on Monday, saying they were made to uphold the sanctity of the holy month.

“It is heartbreaking that adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly during Ramadan,” Aminudeen said. “We will not tolerate this, which is why we made these arrests.”

All 25 suspects have been charged in a Sharia court, where they face possible penalties under Islamic law, he added.

Aminudeen stressed that Hisbah’s operations were only targeted at Muslims.

“We do not concern ourselves with non-Muslims,” he said.

The Hisbah commander also noted that enforcement activities, which began at the start of Ramadan, would continue throughout the month.

As part of its broader operations, the board has also arrested individuals for “inappropriate haircuts,” wearing shorts above the knee, and tricycle drivers found mixing male and female passengers.

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“We receive reports from concerned residents who are outraged by such behavior, and we act swiftly,” Aminudeen said.

In previous years, some offenders were released after pledging to observe the fast, while others were placed under the supervision of guardians. However, this year, those arrested will face legal action, he added.

The fasting period was declared to have begun on Saturday after the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, confirmed the sighting of the crescent moon on Friday, 28 February.