The Kano State Hisbah Board’s directive to residents of other religions who are not observing this Ramadan fast to refrain from eating openly has been described as a negation of the doctrines of Islam.
In an interview with AIT Live, Director-General of the Board Abba Sai’Idu stated that the enforcement team now conducts more frequent patrols across the city to arrest any Muslim found engaging in any practice that is not in Islamic culture during the Holy Month.
Hisbah, which also announced the arrest of over ten Muslims who were caught eating during the fast, has been the subject of severe criticism from Nigerians.
Describing their activities as against the provisions of Islam, an X user simply identified as Solaj Global stated that Muslims should not be judged based on
“extremists who don’t understand the true knowledge of Islam.”
In a statement on X on Wednesday, Solaj noted that while fasting is fundamental in Islam, “Arresting people for not fasting goes against the principles of Islam.”
Solaj’s statement reads, “What Hisbah is doing is against the true knowledge of Islam.
“Please don’t judge Muslims based on some extremists who don’t understand the true knowledge of Islam.
“While fasting is a fundamental pillar of Islam, there are exceptions for those who are ill or have health conditions. Arresting people for not fasting goes against the principles of Islam.
“Everyone has the freedom of choice, and it’s important to respect individual reasons for not fasting. Islam emphasizes compassion and understanding towards one another.”









![Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg)