Ramadan: Kano sharia police to arrest people seen eating in public

As Muslim faithfuls begin the annual Ramadan fast on Monday, The Commander-General of Kano sharia police known as Hisbah, Nabahani Usman says his men will begin to arrest adults who are seen eating in public.

Usman said arrested persons would only be released if they can provide an exemption letter from a medical doctor or the person can show proof of chronic ulcer.

Speaking to the BBC, he said that when such a person has provided evidence, he or she would be released with a warning not to eat in public anymore.

Usman said, “We do this kind of operation yearly and we will continue it this year. The aim is to get every Muslim to respect the month of Ramadan. Even if a doctor says you should not fast, that does not mean you should eat in public while others are fasting.

“So any Muslim that we apprehend eating outside, our men will arrest and bring the person to our office unless he can show proof that a doctor asked him not to fast.”