The Northern state Islamic police in Kano arrested nine Muslims seven males, two females on Wednesday for not observing the fast

By Sadiq Abdulfatah

Known for its maintenance of Sharia and a large population of Muslims, the Kano Islamic police, known as the Hisbah, goes extra length to ensure Muslims adhere to the fasting hours. During its patrol, the deputy commander General Mujahid Aminudeen explained that nine Muslims were detained after being caught feigning ignorance that Ramadan had begun.

According to him “We have arrested them and they are with us where we are going to be teaching them the importance of fasting, how to pray, read the Quran and become better Muslims,.

In similar cases in the past, officers have got in touch with the families of those detained to make sure there is proper monitoring after their release so that they fast to the end of the month.

Just over two decades ago, Sharia was introduced to work alongside secular law in 12 of Nigeria’s northern states that all have a majority Muslim population. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and has a special significance in Islam. It is during this month that Muslims believe the first verses of the Quran – Islam’s holy book – were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Every year, Ramadan is expected to last between 29 or 30 days. In Nigeria, fasting started on Wednesday 18 February and it is predicted to end on either 21 or 22 March.

Source: BBC