Muslims arrested for not observing Ramadan fast

The Islamic police in the northern Nigerian state of Kano have arrested Muslims seen eating and drinking publicly, as well as those selling food at the start of Ramadan, when Muslims are supposed to fast from dawn until dusk, reports BBC News. The deputy commander of the Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, said 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 last Saturday. ‘It is important to note that we don't concern ourselves with non-Muslims,’ he said. Aminudeen said any ‘disrespect’ for Ramadan would not be condoned. He said all 25 had been charged in a Sharia court and would be punished accordingly. The Hisbah official added that they sometimes get tip-offs when people are seen eating. He also confirmed the arrest of other people who were seen with ‘inappropriate haircuts’, wearing shorts above the knee and tricycle drivers mixing male and female passengers. Just over two decades ago, Sharia, or Islamic law, was introduced to work alongside secular law in 12 of Nigeria's northern states that have a majority Muslim population. Sharia does not apply to the Christian minorities living in the states.

Full BBC News report