The Kano Hisbah Board has arrested 25 Muslims for allegedly eating and selling food in public during Ramadan fasting hours. Authorities say the arrests, aimed at upholding religious discipline, will continue throughout the month. The individuals have been charged under Sharia law and will face legal consequences.
The Kano Hisbah Board has arrested 25 individuals for allegedly violating Ramadan fasting regulations by eating, drinking, and selling food in public during fasting hours.
According to Mujahideen Abubakar, the board’s deputy commander general of operations, the arrests were made as part of an ongoing enforcement drive that will continue until the end of the holy month. Abubakar emphasized that the crackdown targets only Muslims, as non-Muslims are not subject to fasting rules.
“It is distressing that some Muslims are seen eating in public during such a sacred period. We receive complaints from people who are offended by these actions, and we respond swiftly,” he stated.
Among those apprehended, 20 individuals were accused of breaking their fast openly, while five were detained for selling food. All suspects have been charged before a Sharia court, where they are expected to face penalties as stipulated under Islamic law.
Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all able-bodied Muslims. However, exceptions exist for those who are ill, pregnant, nursing, traveling, or experiencing menstruation.
Kano Hisbah, known for enforcing Islamic morality in the state, has previously led crackdowns on alcohol consumption, inappropriate dressing, and public interactions between unmarried men and women. The recent arrests reflect its continued efforts to uphold religious observance during the fasting period.
Public reactions to the enforcement remain mixed, with some supporting the move while others argue for a more lenient approach.
