EXTRA: Hisbah arrests 25 Kano residents for ‘eating, selling food during fasting hours’

The Kano Hisbah Board says its operatives have arrested Muslims for allegedly eating, drinking, and selling food in public during “fasting hours”. 

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is among the five pillars of Islam and is obligatory for every Muslim.

However, persons who are sick, pregnant, travelling, breastfeeding and women who are in their menstrual cycle are permitted to skip fasting — but will make up for the numbers missed at a later time. Elderly persons who are incapable of fasting are also exempted.

Mujahideen Abubakar, the board’s deputy commander general of operations, told BBC that 25 suspects have been arrested.

He noted that the operation, which began on Saturday, will continue until the end of the month.

“It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims — any disrespect for Ramadan would not be condoned,” he said.

“It’s heart-breaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that and that’s why we went out to make arrests.

“20 people had been arrested for not fasting and five for selling food.

“We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests.”

Abubakar said all 25 had been charged in a Sharia court and would be punished accordingly.

The Kano Hisbah Board is responsible for enforcing moral regulations under Islamic law in the state.

The agency is known for various activities, including the destruction of alcoholic beverages, the arrest of unmarried men and women found together in hotels, and the ban on the use of mannequins in boutiques