Ramadan: Hisbah shuts down betting shop in Kano

The Kano State Hisbah Board has raided and sealed a sports betting shop as part of its enforcement efforts during the holy month of Ramadan.

Images of the operation were shared on the board’s official Facebook page, showing Hisbah operatives closing the establishment.

Speaking to journalists, Sheikh Mujahideen Aminudeen, the Deputy Commander of Hisbah, confirmed the raid and emphasized that the action aligns with Kano state’s Sharia laws.

He expressed concern over the persistence of gambling among some Muslims, even during the sacred period of fasting.

Kano adopted Sharia law in 2000, alongside 11 other northern states, prohibiting activities such as gambling, alcohol consumption, and prostitution — all considered contrary to Islamic teachings.

This incident follows another recent enforcement action, where the Hisbah Board arrested 20 individuals for eating and drinking in public during fasting hours and detained five others for selling food in daylight.

On Monday, Aminudeen addressed the arrests, saying, “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.”

He added that all 25 suspects would be tried in a Sharia court and face appropriate penalties.

Aminudeen clarified that Hisbah’s enforcement activities are limited to the Muslim community, stating, “It is important to note that we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims.”

Beyond food-related offences, Hisbah’s Ramadan operations have also focused on discouraging behaviors deemed inappropriate, such as “indecent” haircuts, wearing shorts above the knee, and mixed-gender passenger arrangements in commercial tricycles.

According to Aminudeen, the board often responds to reports from concerned residents.

“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.

While some offenders arrested last year were released after pledging to complete the Ramadan fast, Aminudeen noted that there would be no leniency this year, with all violators facing full legal consequences.