ISLAMIC police in Kano State, northern Nigeria, have arrested 25 Muslims accused of violating Ramadan fasting rules by eating, drinking, or selling food in public. The enforcement, carried out by the Hisbah morality police, is part of strict Sharia law observance, BBC reported.
Ramadan crackdown in full force
According to Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy commander of Hisbah, 20 individuals were arrested for not fasting, while five others were detained for selling food during daylight hours. He stated that Ramadan enforcement operations would continue throughout the month.
‘We don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims,’ Aminudeen told BBC. ‘But for adult Muslims, it is heart-breaking to see them eating in public during this holy month.’
He added that the Hisbah police often act on tip-offs from the public when individuals are seen eating. Those arrested have been charged in a Sharia court, where they will face unspecified punishments.
Other arrests for ‘indecent behaviour’
Beyond enforcing Ramadan fasting, Hisbah also arrested individuals for other so-called violations, including:
- Wearing inappropriate haircuts
- Wearing shorts above the knee
- Tricycle drivers mixing male and female passengers
Kano is among 12 northern Nigerian states that enforce Sharia law alongside secular law. While Sharia applies only to Muslims, rights groups have raised concerns over its impact on personal freedoms and its enforcement methods.
A stricter approach this year
In previous years, those caught breaking the fast were often released after promising to observe Ramadan, with family members held responsible for ensuring compliance. However, this year, the detainees will not be released without facing court-ordered punishment.
Ramadan, one of Islam’s Five Pillars, lasts 29 or 30 days, with fasting observed from dawn to dusk. This year’s observance is expected to end on March 30.
With Hisbah vowing to maintain strict enforcement, concerns persist over religious policing, human rights, and the blurred lines between faith and law enforcement in northern Nigeria.
