MWE Correspondent
In northern Nigeria’s Kano State, Islamic authorities have detained nine Muslims — seven men and two women — for eating in public on the first day of Ramadan, highlighting the strict enforcement of fasting under Sharia law in the region.
Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, began in Nigeria on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. In Kano and 11 other northern states, Sharia law requires all able-bodied Muslims to abstain from food and drink from dawn to sunset. Eating in public during fasting hours is considered a breach of religious duty, which can prompt intervention by local Islamic authorities.
The deputy head of Kano’s religious policing unit, locally known as Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, told international media that the detained individuals claimed they were unaware that Ramadan had officially started. “We are not imposing severe punishment,” Aminudeen explained. “Our goal is to provide spiritual guidance and education.”
The detainees are expected to receive instruction on religious practices, including the significance of fasting, proper performance of daily prayers, and guidance on reading the Quran. Aminudeen emphasized that the initiative is focused on education rather than immediate punitive action.
Although Kano operates under Sharia law, Nigeria’s secular legal framework still applies, allowing restaurants in predominantly Christian areas to remain open.
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Nevertheless, Hisbah conducts regular patrols each year to ensure that Muslims observe the Five Pillars of Islam, with fasting during Ramadan being one of the central pillars.
Typically, those detained are released after family members commit to supervising them throughout the month. Religious leaders note that fasting is not simply a ritual obligation but a practice intended to cultivate self-discipline and spiritual growth. Observers say the Hisbah’s approach balances enforcement with education, aiming to strengthen community adherence to religious obligations without causing fear or resentment.
This year’s enforcement comes amid heightened vigilance, with Hisbah officers patrolling markets, streets, and public spaces to monitor compliance. Authorities stress that their focus is on awareness, guidance, and voluntary adherence, ensuring that all Muslims understand the spiritual and communal importance of fasting.
The incident underscores the ongoing interplay in Nigeria between religious law and secular governance, demonstrating how northern states navigate the integration of faith-based practices within a diverse national legal framework. While detentions during Ramadan often attract international attention, local officials insist that spiritual education and adherence to sacred traditions remain their top priority.
