The Islamic Kano police arrest the Nigerian Muslims for eating in public during Ramadan

Islamic police in the state of Kano in northern Nigeria have arrested Muslims seen to eat and drink publicly, as well as those who sell food at the beginning of Ramadan, when Muslims are supposed to fast from dawn to dusk.

Hisbah’s deputy commander, Mujahid Aminudeen, told the BBC that 20 people had been arrested for not fasting and five for selling food, and that the operations would continue throughout the month, which began on Saturday.

“It is important to keep in mind that we don’t care about ourselves of non -Muslims,” ​​he said.

Aminudeen said that any “lack of respect” for Ramadan would not be tolerated.

“It is a heartbreaking that in such a holy month destined for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We will not tolerate that and that is why we go out to make arrests,” he said.

He said that the 25 had been accused in a court in Sharia and would be punished accordingly.

The Hisbah official added that sometimes they receive notices when you see people eating.

“We receive calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public and we act quickly going to the area to make arrests.”

He also confirmed the arrest of other people who were seen with “inappropriate haircuts”, with shorts on the knee and tricycle conductors that mix male and female passengers.

Last year, those arrested for not fasting were released after promising to fast, while family members or guardians were summoned and were ordered to monitor them to make sure they help.

Those arrested this year were not as lucky as they will have to face the Court.

A little over two decades ago, Sharia, or Islamic law, was introduced to work together with the secular law in 12 of the northern northern states that have a majority Muslim population. Sharia does not apply to Christian minorities living in the United States.

The Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, has a special meaning in Islam.

It is during this month that Muslims believe that the first verses of the Koran, the sacred book of Islam, were revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, who feel the basis of how Muslims are required to live their lives. Fasting is observed during the hours of the day.

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