POLICE IN ZANZIBAR'S Mjini
Magharibi Region Arrested 12 Individuals For Eating And Drinking In Public
During The Daytime In The Month Of Ramadhan, A Time Of Fasting For Muslims.
Zanzibar, With A
Predominantly Muslim Population, Enforces Regulations Based On Islamic Principles
During Ramadhan For Both Locals And Visitors.
The Acting Regional
Police Commander, Abubakar Khamis Ally, Mentioned That The Arrests Were Made
After An Investigation Prompted By A Circulated Video Showing People Eating
During Daylight Hours In Mnazi Mmoja Square, Violating The Fasting Norms Of Ramadhan.
Eating In Public During
Daylight Hours In Ramadhan Is Considered An Offense, Leading To The Individuals
Being Held At Madema Police Station Pending Completion Of Investigation
Procedures, After Which They Will Face Court Proceedings.
However, The Police Chief
Warned That The Police Force Will Continue To Arrest Anyone Found Eating
Publicly During The Daytime In This Holy Month Of Ramadhan.
ACP Ally Was Quoted
Saying, "During This Month Of Ramadhan, As Per The Customs Of This Island,
Even Food Establishments Are Closed. Therefore, It Is Not Appropriate For
Individuals To Sit In Public Places And Eat Openly; This Is An Offense, And That's
Why We Are Arresting Them And Will Continue To Do So Because It Causes
Inconvenience To Others."
The 12 People Who Have
Been Arrested For This Offense Of Eating Publicly During Daytime Are Issa Hamad
Juma (40) From Kikwajuni, Hamad Hamis Indole (25) From Mtwara, Hashimu Bakari
Nassoro (35) From Kwarara; And Selemani Ismail Nalinga (34) From Magogoni,
Among Others.
All These Individuals Are
Currently Under Custody At Madema Police Station, And Investigation Procedures
Are Ongoing To Prepare Them For Court Proceedings.
Meanwhile, The Zanzibar
Tourism Commission, In Its Public Statement, Has Announced That It Has Fined
The Company Organisateur Francophone Tours And Travel A Fine Of $500 For
Violating The Commission's Guidelines And Allowing Tourists To Eat In Public
During This Holy Month Of Ramadhan.
The Official Statement
From The Commission Outlined The Following: "Despite Issuing Guidelines
And Directives For Tourism Businesses To Follow, The Company Allowed Guests To
Eat In Public. Therefore, The Commission Has Taken The Following Actions:
Imposed A Fine Of $500 And Immediately Suspended The Tour Guide Of The Company,
Khamis M. Kahogo, From Conducting Any Tourism Activities For Three
Months."
"The Zanzibar
Tourism Commission Emphasizes The Importance Of Respecting The Customs And
Traditions Of The Islands Of Zanzibar, Especially During The Ramadhan Period,
To Promote Good Relations With The Surrounding Communities," The Statement
Further Elaborated