Kano Hisbah Board Arrests 25 for Eating and Selling Food During Ramadan Fasting Hours

The Kano State Hisbah Board has intensified its enforcement of Islamic law by detaining 25 individuals for publicly eating and selling food during Ramadan fasting hours. This crackdown, which aligns with Kano's strict adherence to Sharia law, underscores the government's commitment to preserving religious observance in the state.

Authorities confirmed that the Hisbah Board, responsible for maintaining moral and religious order, arrested 20 individuals for eating publicly and five others for selling food before Iftar (the time when Muslims break their fast at sunset). The operation, which began last Saturday, will continue throughout Ramadan, ensuring strict compliance with fasting regulations.

Speaking on the arrests, Mujahideen Abubakar, Deputy Commander General of Operations at Hisbah, stated:

“It's disheartening to see adult Muslims disregarding the sanctity of Ramadan by eating and drinking in public. Such actions will not be tolerated, which is why we conducted these arrests.”

According to reports, the detained individuals have been charged under Sharia law, and they are expected to face religious disciplinary action in an Islamic court.

Ramadan fasting is a fundamental tenet of Islam and one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for all healthy, adult Muslims, except for specific exemptions granted to:

• The sick
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• Travelers
• Menstruating women
• Elderly individuals unable to fast

Islamic scholars emphasize that while these exceptions exist, those not fasting for valid reasons are encouraged to maintain discretion to uphold communal harmony.

The Kano State Hisbah Board plays a pivotal role in enforcing Islamic moral codes across the region. Their activities extend beyond Ramadan enforcement and include:

• Destruction of alcoholic beverages
• Banning mannequins in boutiques
• Raiding hotels to prevent “immoral” interactions between unmarried individuals
• Censorship of music and entertainment deemed “un-Islamic”

These actions are often met with mixed reactions, with supporters praising the board’s efforts in upholding Sharia law, while critics argue that such enforcement infringes on personal freedoms.

The crackdown on public eating and food sales during fasting hours has divided public opinion. While some residents commend the Hisbah Board for maintaining religious discipline, others question the necessity of arresting individuals for breaking the fast publicly.

A local scholar defending the arrests stated:

“Kano is an Islamic state governed by Sharia principles. If you must eat, do it privately and respect the sanctity of the holy month.”

However, civil rights activists argue that such enforcement infringes on individual rights, particularly for non-Muslims and those medically exempt from fasting.

With Ramadan still ongoing, the Hisbah Board has vowed to intensify surveillance, ensuring complete adherence to fasting rules. The recent mass arrests serve as a stern warning that public disregard for Islamic practices will not be tolerated.

As the debate over Sharia enforcement continues, Kano remains a focal point in the conversation about religious governance, personal freedoms, and the role of morality policing in modern society.