Islamic police in Kano State, northern Nigeria arrested Muslims who began selling food during Ramadan when Muslims were supposed to go from dawn to dusk.
HISBAH deputy commander Mujahid Aminudeen told the BBC that 20 people were arrested for not fasting, five were arrested for selling food, and that the entire month of operations will begin on Saturday.
“It is important to note that we don’t care about non-Muslims,” he said.
Mr. Aminin said that any “disrespect” to Ramadan will not be tolerated.
“It’s heartbreaking that in such a holy month, adult Muslims will be seen eating and drinking openly. We won’t be tolerant of that, which is why we go out and arrested.”
He said all 25 people were charged with being prosecuted in Sharia court and would be punished accordingly.
The Hisbah official added that when people see people eating, they sometimes get tips.
“We did get calls from people who were angry after seeing people eating in public and we acted quickly by going to the area to arrest.”
He also confirmed the arrests of others who were “inappropriate hairstyles”, shorts above the knees and tricycle drivers mixed together.
Last year, those arrested for fasting were released after promising to fast, while relatives or guardians of some were called and ordered to monitor them to ensure they were fast.
Those arrested this year are not lucky because they will have to face the court.
Just over twenty years ago, Sharia or Islamic law was introduced to work with secular laws in the 12 northern states of Nigeria, which have a majority of Muslim population. Sharia law does not apply to Christian minorities living in the United States.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and has special significance in Islam.
This month, Muslims believe that the first verse of the Qur’an – the Holy Book of Islam – was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam and it lays the foundation for how Muslims live. The speed was observed during the daytime.
Ramadan usually lasts 29 or 30 days and is expected to end on Sunday, March 30.
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