Nine Muslim men were arrested on Wednesday in Kano, northern Nigeria, for allegedly eating during the holy month of Ramadan.
The arrests were carried out by the Hisbah, an Islamic religious police group that operates in the state. Hisbah officers said they found the men eating in public places during the daytime, when Muslims are expected to be fasting.
Why They Were Arrested
During Ramadan, Muslims fast every day from sunrise to sunset. This means they do not eat or drink during those hours. The fast is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is considered an important religious duty for adult Muslims.
Hisbah’s Deputy Commander General, Mujahid Aminudeen, told reporters that the nine men claimed they did not know that the Ramadan fast had already started. However, the officials said they would be educated about the importance of fasting, reading the Quran, and following Sharia law.
Annual Enforcement During Ramadan
Each year during Ramadan, Hisbah officers patrol restaurants, markets, and cafes in Kano to ensure Muslims are observing the fast.
In 2024, the group arrested 11 Muslims for similar reasons. Those arrested were later released after promising to obey the fasting rules. Their families were also asked to help monitor them.
About Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a sacred time when Muslims focus on prayer, charity, self-discipline, and spiritual growth.
This year, Ramadan began on Tuesday, February 17, and is expected to end on Thursday, March 19, depending on the sighting of the moon.
Islamic scholars note that some people are allowed to skip fasting for valid reasons, such as illness, travel, pregnancy, or old age. However, they are usually expected to make up the missed fasts later or perform other acts of charity.
The recent arrests have drawn attention to how religious laws are enforced in parts of northern Nigeria, where Sharia law operates alongside the country’s civil law system.
