* Warns non-Muslims against eating in public
The Kano State Hisbah Board has apprehended 11 Muslims for violating the Ramadan fast by eating during the day.
The arrests were made during the annual Ramadan enforcement operations, which included raids on eateries and markets.
The board’s Public Relations Officer, Lawal Ibrahim, who confirmed the arrests in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service, said the arrests were made on Tuesday across the city, particularly near markets.
“The individuals arrested include 10 men and one woman, who was caught eating from her groundnut-selling stall,” he said.
He explained that non-Muslims are exempted from such enforcement activities, but if found selling food during fasting hours to Muslims, they could be considered in violation.
“We apprehended 11 persons on Tuesday, including a lady selling groundnuts who was seen eating from her wares, after some persons alerted us. The other 10 persons were men and were arrested across the city, especially close to markets where a lot of activities happen.
“We don’t arrest non-Muslims because this doesn’t concern them; but the only time they could be guilty of a crime is when we find out they cook food to sell to Muslims who are supposed to be fasting,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Board, Abba Sai’Idu, has warned non-Muslims in the State against eating in public places during Ramadan fasting period.
Abba Sai’Idu issued the warning during an interview with AIT.
He declared that it is unlawful for Christians and other non-Muslims to eat openly or do anything publicly that would undermine the Islamic religion or put those fasting into temptation by their actions.
The Hisbah Boss further said that the enforcement team is now conducting more frequent patrols across the city to arrest any Muslim observed engaging in any practice that is at variance with Islamic culture during the holy month.
During the Holy Month of Ramadan, Muslims are expected to abstain from eating, drinking, sex and smoking during the daytime and other acts not allowed by the Holy Quran.
