The Islamic police in Kano, northern Nigeria, have arrested 25 people for violating Ramadan fasting rules, including 20 Muslims seen eating or drinking in public and five selling foods during the daylight hours.
The arrests come as part of an ongoing operation by the Hisbah, the religious police in Kano, which enforces strict adherence to Islamic practices. The crackdown began at the start of Ramadan, which began last Saturday, and will continue throughout the month. Deputy Commander of the Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, clarified that only Muslims were targeted, as non-Muslims are not subject to these fasting regulations.
Aminudeen expressed Hisbah’s resolve to ensure respect for Ramadan, calling it “heart-breaking” to witness adults eating and drinking openly during such a holy month. “We won’t condone that,” he said, adding that those arrested have been charged in a Sharia court and would face appropriate punishment. The Hisbah also responded to public complaints, with some residents alerting authorities when they saw people breaking the fasting rules. In addition to the fasting violations, there were arrests for other perceived infringements, such as having “inappropriate haircuts,” wearing shorts above the knee, and tricycle drivers mixing male and female passengers.
Sharia law, which was introduced in northern Nigeria over 20 years ago, operates alongside secular law in 12 states with a majority Muslim population, including Kano. While Sharia does not apply to non-Muslims, violations of Islamic codes during Ramadan have led to arrests in previous years, with some individuals being released after promising to fast. This year, however, those caught violating the rules will face the full force of the law. Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, is a time of fasting from dawn to dusk, marking the revelation of the Quran to Prophet Muhammad.