By Rorisang Modiba
- Islamic police arrest 25 Muslims in Nigeria for breaking Ramadan fast rules in public.
- Religious laws in northern Nigeria apply only to Muslims, leaving other faiths to follow their own beliefs.
Islamic police in northern Nigeria have arrested 25 Muslims for eating, drinking, and selling food in public during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
In Kano state, the religious police force, called Hisbah, caught 20 people who were not fasting and another five who were selling food during daylight hours.
“It is sad that during this holy month, some adult Muslims are seen eating and drinking in public. We will not accept that,” said Mujahid Aminudeen, deputy commander of Hisbah, BBC reported.
Unlike last year, when some people were let go after promising to fast, this time all those arrested were taken to an Islamic court.
Hisbah made the arrests after people reported seeing others eating in public. They also arrested people for having what they called wrong haircuts, wearing short pants, and allowing men and women to ride together in three-wheeled taxis.
These arrests happened under Sharia law, which has been in place in Kano and 11 other northern Nigerian states for more than 20 years. This law only applies to Muslims, not to Christians or followers of other faiths.
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. They believe this was the time when their holy book, the Quran, was first given to Prophet Muhammad. This year’s Ramadan is set to end on 30 March.
Pictured above: Nigerian police.
Image source: Pexels
