The chief imam of Falomo Lagos Central Mosque,  Tajudeen Adebayo, said the public should respect the sensibility of fasting Muslim faithful by avoiding eating in their presence.

Mr Adebayo said that eating in public during the hours of fasting debased the sensibility of those fasting and could discourage people from the self-denial ritual.

“It is courteous for others to respect the sensibility of those who are fasting by not eating publicly,” said Mr Adebayo.

The cleric spoke to journalists in Lagos on Thursday against the backdrop of some Muslims who were caught eating when they should be fasting.

Hisbah, the Islamic police on Wednesday in Kano arrested 10 men and a female groundnut vendor for allegedly eating in public during the hours of fasting.

The Hisbah spokesperson, Lawal Fagge, who confirmed the arrest, said the men were arrested near a Kano market while the female vendor was caught eating from her wares.

Mr Fagge said that the arrest was facilitated by a tip-off from onlookers.

Commenting on the incident, the Lagos cleric said that in an ideal Islamic setting, fasting during Ramadan is sacred and should be respected by all.

According to him, it is on grounds of insensitivity to the feelings of the general public they were arrested.

“Fasting is mandatory for every mature, healthy Muslim who is not on a journey.

“Exempted from fasting are sick people, travellers, the elderly, pregnant and breastfeeding women who cannot bear it; women who are experiencing their monthly flow or childbirth blood are exempted too.

“However, those who have excuses valid enough to be exempted from fasting, either permanently or tentatively, are expected,” the cleric said.

(NAN)