Nigerian Muslims arrested for publicly food during Ramadan

In the Northern Nigerian state of Kano, Islamic police have seen Muslims publicly eating and drinking, as well as those who sell food at the beginning of Ramadan, when Muslims should have fasted from morning to evening.

Part Deputy Commander Mujahid Aminudin told the BBC that 20 people were arrested for not fasting and selling five food, and that the operation would continue throughout the month, which started on Saturday.

“It is important to note that we don’t worry ourselves with non-Muslims,” ​​he said.

Mr. Aminudin said that no “disrespect” for Ramadan will be condensed.

He said, “It is heartbreaking that for fasting in such a holy month, adult Muslims will be seen publicly eating and drinking. We would not condemn this and that’s why we went out to arrest,” he said.

He said that all 25 were accused in a Sharia court and will be punished accordingly.

The official of Hisba said that when people are seen eating food, they sometimes get tip-off.

“We call from those who publicly get angry after eating people and we work fast in the area to arrest.”

He also confirmed the arrest of other people, who were seen with “inappropriate haircuts”, wearing shorts above the knee and mixing tricycle drivers to male and female passengers.

Last year, those arrested for not fasting were freed after promising to fast, while some of them were called relatives or parents and were ordered to be monitored to ensure that they make it fast.

Those arrested this year were not so lucky as they would face the court.

Just two decades ago, Sharia, or Islamic Law, 12 of the 12 northern states of Nigeria were introduced to work with secular laws, with majority Muslim population. Christians living in Sharia states do not apply to minorities.

Ramadan has special significance in Islam, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.

It is during this month that Muslims believe that the first verses of the Quran – the sacred book of Islam – came in front of Muhammad.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which is the basis of how Muslims are required to live their lives. Fasting is observed during the daylight.

Ramadan usually lasts for 29 or 30 days, and is expected to end on Sunday 30 March.