Kano Hisbah arrests 25 residents for ‘eating and selling food during fasting hours’

The Kano Hisbah Board has arrested 25 Muslims for allegedly eating, drinking, and selling food in public during fasting hours in the month of Ramadan.

Mujahideen Abubakar, the board’s deputy commander general of operations, told the BBC that the operation, which began on Saturday, will continue until the end of the month.

“It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims — any disrespect for Ramadan would not be condoned,” he said.

“It’s heart-breaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that and that’s why we went out to make arrests.

“20 people had been arrested for not fasting and five for selling food. We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests.” Abubakar said all 25 individuals had been charged in a Sharia court and would be punished accordingly.

Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for every Muslim. However, exemptions apply to persons who are sick, pregnant, travelling, breastfeeding, or menstruating, as well as elderly individuals who are incapable of fasting.

The Kano Hisbah Board is responsible for enforcing moral regulations under Islamic law in the state. The agency has previously been known for various activities, including the destruction of alcoholic beverages, the arrest of unmarried men and women found together in hotels, and the ban on the use of mannequins in boutiques.