12 people were arrested after eating in public during the Holy Month of Ramadhan

Zanzibar police arrested 12 people for eating in public during Ramadan, which sparked a debate online
Social media users have expressed mixed views on the implementation of the ban on eating in public during religious services, with some insisting that everyone has the right to live freely
This year presented an opportunity for religious dialogue between Muslims and Christians, who are fasting at the same time for the first time in decades.

Zanzibar: The police in Chechake district have arrested 12 people who were found eating in public during the holy month of Ramadan, the period when Muslims are supposed to fast.

The police officer who spoke about the matter (inside), the prisoner’s hands. Photo: Hard News, Doug Berry.
Source: Getty Images

Muslims had already begun fasting for the holy month, and for the first time in more than three decades, followers of Islam and Christianity began Lent and Ramadan almost at the same time.

Ash Wednesday ushered Christians into 40 days of fasting and meditation, with the sighting of the new moon signaling the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting every day from dawn to sunset.

What do Zanzibar authorities want to achieve?

The symmetry provided a unique opportunity for religious dialogue, collective reflection, and a new call for peace and compassion.

In Zanzibar, some people near the bridge were seen eating in public, which caused the institution that oversees the implementation of public eating regulations to inform the police, who facilitated their arrest.

“That was seen as a way to maintain discipline and customs in the Islamic community during the sensitive month,” said authorities.

“Our duty as police is to ensure that operations like this are carried out in peace and harmony because there may be bylaws that allow arrests like this. There is an institution that used to arrest people near the bridge,” added the police.

The Chechake government said it will not tolerate the use of alcohol or drugs or eating in public, and that citizens should remain disciplined and observe the period properly to avoid legal problems.

What did netizens say about the case?

Target Alex: “The one who is fasting and sees that his partner is suffering when he eats, let him know that he is not fasting, he is just winning with hunger.”

A man is caught hiding while eating during Ramadan

Another story showed a Muslim man hiding to eat during the fasting period of Ramadan and how he was easily discovered, which caused the video to go viral online.