The Hisbah, or Islamic police, in Kano, Nigeria, have arrested 25 Muslims for eating and drinking in public as well as selling food during Ramadan, emphasizing the enforcement of fasting laws amid public outcry.
Kano's Islamic Police Crack Down on Public Eating During Ramadan
Kano's Islamic Police Crack Down on Public Eating During Ramadan
In Kano, Nigeria, Islamic authorities enforce strict fasting laws by arresting Muslims for eating in public during Ramadan, signaling ongoing tensions surrounding religious observance.
In the northern Nigerian state of Kano, the Islamic police, known as Hisbah, have initiated a series of arrests targeting Muslims caught eating or drinking publicly during Ramadan. With the holy month commencing on Saturday, these measures have sparked controversy as authorities emphasize adherence to fasting practices.
Mujahid Aminudeen, the deputy commander of Hisbah, disclosed to BBC News that as of now, 20 individuals have been detained for failing to respect fasting norms, while an additional five have been arrested for selling food and drinks. He affirmed that such operations will persist throughout the duration of Ramadan.
Aminudeen asserted the importance of maintaining respect for the sanctity of Ramadan, describing it as "heart-breaking" to witness adult Muslims publicly consuming food and beverages. He emphasized that this conduct was intolerable and warranted immediate action, resulting in all those arrested being charged in a Sharia court for their infractions.
The enforcement team often act based on tip-offs from community members who express outrage upon observing public eating. They have detained individuals not only for eating but also for what they deem inappropriate behavior, which includes certain hairstyles and dress code violations, such as wearing shorts above the knee. In previous years, individuals apprehended for public eating had been released after agreeing to comply with fasting protocols, but this time, those arrested face actual court proceedings and potential punishment.
Sharia law, which began co-existing with Nigeria’s secular legal framework over two decades ago, governs the conduct of its predominantly Muslim populace in thirteen northern states, while not extending to Christian minorities in these regions. Ramadan, regarded as a particularly sacred month in Islam, marks the period when Muslims commemorate the first revelations of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad and involves fasting throughout daylight hours. This year, Ramadan is anticipated to conclude on March 30.
