As part of its ongoing enforcement efforts during the holy month of Ramadan, the Kano State Hisbah Board has raided and sealed a sports betting shop in the state. The crackdown is in line with Kano’s strict Sharia laws, which prohibit gambling and other activities deemed un-Islamic.
“E tok say, di commission manage close di shop after dem do raid for di place,” BBC Pidgin quoted Aminudeen as saying. He lamented that some Muslims continue to engage in gambling despite the sacred nature of the Ramadan period.“E add say e pain am as some Muslims still dey go dat kind place go dey gamble, even as Ramadan fasting dey go on,” the report further stated.
Sheikh Mujahideen Aminudeen, Deputy Commander of Hisbah in Kano, confirmed the raid, stating that it was carried out to enforce compliance with the state’s Sharia laws. The Hisbah officials shared images of the sealed premises on their official Facebook page.
This latest enforcement action comes on the heels of previous crackdowns by the Hisbah Board, including the detention of 20 Muslims for eating and drinking in public during fasting hours. Five others were arrested for selling food during daylight hours while Muslims were expected to observe the Ramadan fast.
The Deputy Commander of Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, disclosed the number of arrests on Monday, stating that, “It’s heartbreaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that, and that’s why we went out to make arrests.” According to Aminudeen, all 25 suspects will be tried in a Sharia court and face the necessary penalties. He stressed that Hisbah’s enforcement strictly targets Muslims, noting that “It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims.”
The crackdown is part of a broader effort by Hisbah to maintain religious discipline during Ramadan, with operations extending beyond food consumption. The board has also been targeting individuals with so-called “indecent” haircuts, people dressed in shorts above the knee, and commercial tricycle riders who mix male and female passengers.
Aminudeen stated that Hisbah frequently acts on reports from concerned residents who alert them about violations. “We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public, and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests,” he said.
Last year, some individuals arrested for public eating were released after pledging to complete the Ramadan fast, while others were placed under guardianship. However, the Hisbah Board has vowed to show no leniency this year, with all offenders set to face full legal consequences.
Source : https://saharareporters.com/
