Police arrest 11 Muslims for not observing Ramadan fast in northern Nigeria

Eleven Muslims were arrested on Tuesday after they were seen eating during the day in the state of Kano in northern Nigeria.

The Islamic police, known as Hisbah arrested the eleven on Tuesday in an operation.

Kano, with its huge Muslim population, operates under Sharia law, the Islamic legal system, alongside secular laws. Each year, during Ramadan, Hisbah conducts rigorous inspections of restaurants and markets to ensure compliance with fasting regulations.

According to Lawal Fagge, the spokesperson for Hisbah, the arrests targeted individuals caught eating during daylight hours. "We received 11 people on Tuesday, including a woman selling peanuts who was seen eating from her merchandise, and some people informed us," Fagge stated.

The crackdown focused on various areas across the city, particularly near bustling markets. Ten men and one woman were released after pledging not to intentionally break the fast again.

Fagge emphasized that the enforcement efforts would persist throughout Ramadan. However, he clarified that non-Muslims were exempt from these measures.

"We don't arrest non-Muslims because this doesn't concern them, and the only time they could be guilty is when we find them cooking food to sell to Muslims, who are supposed to be fasting," he explained.

Those detained were released after committing to observe fasting for the remainder of Ramadan.

"For some of them, we had to see their relatives or guardians to ensure family monitoring," Fagge said.

Sharia was introduced over two decades ago in 12 northern Nigerian states with predominantly Muslim populations. Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, holds profound significance for Muslims worldwide. It commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the holy Quran to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, signifying its importance in Muslim practice. Devotees abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until sunset. This period of self-discipline and reflection fosters spiritual growth and solidarity among believers.

Most Muslims in Kenya are already fasting for the third day, as some, under the guidance of Chief Kadhi Abdulhalim Hussein, started observing Ramadan on Monday.

As Ramadan continues, Muslims worldwide continue to engage in acts of worship, charity, and reflection, reaffirming their faith and commitment to Islamic principles.