Authorities in Nigeria’s northern state of Kano have detained 11 Muslims for violating the Ramadan fast by consuming food during daylight hours, prompting a response from the Islamic police, known as Hisbah.
According to Hisbah spokesperson Lawal Fagge, the arrests were made after receiving tips from vigilant onlookers. Ten men were apprehended near marketplaces, while a female groundnut vendor was caught eating from her merchandise.
“We got 11 persons on Tuesday including a lady selling groundnuts who was seen eating from her wares, and some persons alerted us,” Fagge reported. “The other 10 were men and were arrested across the city especially close to markets where a lot of activities happen.”
Following their detention, the accused individuals pledged to abstain from food or drink for the remainder of the fasting period. Additionally, Hisbah officials requested that their families ensure they adhere to the fasting requirements.
“For some of them, we had to see their relatives or guardians to have family monitor them,” Fagge explained.
Notably, Fagge emphasized that non-Muslims are exempt from the fasting practice. However, they may face repercussions if found selling food to Muslims during fasting hours.
“We do not arrest non-Muslims because this does not concern them, and the only time they could be guilty of a crime is when we find out they cook food to sell to Muslims that are supposed to be fasting,” Fagge clarified.
Ramadan, observed by Muslims worldwide, involves fasting from sunrise to sunset for the duration of the lunar month. In Nigeria, this year’s Ramadan period spans from March 11 to April 9.
