Ramadan: Muslims Arrested For Not Fasting

Some muslims have been arrested for not fasting.

NewsRain Nigeria reports that the Islamic police in Kano have arrested nine Muslims who were seen eating food during Ramadan fast.

Recall that Kano has a majority Muslim population, where an Islamic legal system – Sharia – operates alongside secular law.

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The Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, search cafes, restaurants, and markets every year during Ramadan to ensure Muslims are adhering to the fasting hours. Some establishments stay open in areas of Kano where many Christians live.

For Muslims, eating is prohibited between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, which lay the basis for how Muslims are required to live their lives.

Hisbah’s deputy commander general, Mujahid Aminudeen, said the nine detained which includes seven males and two females, were ignorant that Ramadan had begun.

“We have arrested them, and they are with us where we are going to be teaching them the importance of fasting, how to pray, read the Quran, and become better Muslims,” he said.

It is not clear when the Hisbah plans to free them. In similar cases in the past, officers have got in touch with the families of those detained to make sure there is proper monitoring after their release, so that they get to the end of the month.

Also, recall that over two decades ago, Sharia was introduced to work alongside secular law in 12 of Nigeria’s northern states, all of which have a majority Muslim population.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and has special significance in Islam.

It is during this month that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran – Islam’s holy book – were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Every year, Ramadan is expected to last between 29, or 30 days.

In Nigeria, fasting started on Wednesday, 18 February, and it is predicted to end on either 21 or 22 March.