From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
As Muslim faithful worldwide are observing fasting of the holy month of Ramadan, which they must abstain from all forms of eating, drinking and sexual intercourse from dawn until sunset, a 22 year-old man was caught eating food and smoking cigarette publicly in broad daylight in Kano metropolis.
Hassan Saleh, a resident of Gidan Maza area of Kano Municipal local government, was arrested on Tuesday by operatives of the state’s Hisbah command, for allegedly defying God’s command.
Saleh arrest was effected after his sister, who reportedly frowned at his attitudes, reported to the Hisbah command, whereby they quickly stormed the house and apprehended him as he was smoking a cigarette.
According to her, the man has not observed any of the four fast, with the excuse of sickness, and that when his mother asked him why he was not fasting, whereas he is healthy and was even smoking in public, adding that his mother is very worried about the situation so much so that she once slumped because of his attitude.
Speaking, Saleh, said “My sister has reported me to you because I have not observed any of the four fasting, because I am sick. I am suffering from fever, but I observe fasting every year.” However, he couldn’t respond when asked why he is smoking cigarette while in sickness.
When contacted, the Command’s commander, arrest department, Sani Nasidi Uba Rimo, confirmed the arrest, adding that “We will keep him in our custody until Sallah day, when Muslims finish fasting of Ramadan. He is here with us and has started fasting today (Wednesday) and will fast for the remaining days until the end of the month. That is his punishment”, he stated.
