Ramadan: Sharia police to arrest people eating in public

The Commander-General of Kano Hisbah, Nabahani Usman, has said from Monday 6th of May, 2019 when Ramadan begins, his men will begin to arrest adults who are seen eating in public adding that arrested persons would only be released if they can provide an exemption letter from a medical doctor or the person can show proof of chronic ulcer.

The Hisbah boss told the BBC that when such a person has provided evidence, he or she would be released with a warning not to eat in public again.

Recall that Hisbah had during the week arrested several sex workers and criminals ahead of Ramadan.

He said Ramadan was a special month for Muslims and anybody that practised Islam must fast.

“We do this kind of operation yearly and we will continue it this year. The aim is to get every Muslim to respect the month of Ramadan. Even if a doctor says you should not fast, that does not mean you should eat in public while others are fasting. So any Muslim that we apprehend eating outside, our men will arrest and bring the person to our office unless he can show proof that a doctor asked him not to fast.” Usman said.

There have been several reports in the past about arrest of persons eating during the month of Ramadan.

Kano State has been practising Sharia law since 2001 when former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso signed the bill creating Hisbah.