Islamic police in Nigeria arrest nine Muslims for not fasting during Ramadan
The Islamic Police or Hisbah is known to carry out raids in many parts of northern Nigeria (file photo) [Sani Maikatanga]
Islamic police in northern Nigeria’s Kano state on Wednesday arrested nine Muslims who were seen eating food during the first day of this year’s Ramadan fast.
Kano has a predominantly Muslim population, where an Islamic legal system – sharia – operates alongside secular law.
Islamic police, known as Hisbah, search cafes, restaurants and markets every year during Ramadan to ensure Muslims observe fasting times. Some establishments remain open in areas of Kano where many Christians live.
For Muslims, it is forbidden to eat between sunrise and sunset. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which forms the basis of how Muslims should live their lives.
Hisbah’s deputy general commander, Mujahid Aminudeen, told the BBC that the nine detainees – seven men and two women – had feigned ignorance that Ramadan had started.
“We arrested them and they are with us where we will teach them the importance of fasting, how to pray, read the Quran and become better Muslims,” he said.
It is unclear when the Hisbah plans to release them. In similar cases in the past, officers have contacted the families of those detained to ensure there was appropriate supervision after their release so that they would fast until the end of the month.
Just over two decades ago, Sharia law was introduced to complement secular law in 12 of Nigeria’s northern states, all of which have predominantly Muslim populations.
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 – the holy book of Islam – were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
Every year, Ramadan is expected to last between 29 and 30 days. In Nigeria, the fast began on Wednesday February 18 and is expected to end on March 21 or 22.
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