Zanzibar, with a predominantly Muslim population, enforces regulations based on Islamic principles during Ramadhan for both locals and visitors.
The city, however, has set strict rules for everyone who lives on the island. Due to that regulations Police in Magharibi area of Zanzibar arrested 12 people for eating and drinking in public during the daytime month of Ramadhan, a fasting period for Muslims.
Acting regional police commander Abubakar Khamis Ally said the arrests were made after an investigation triggered by a video released showing people eating during the day at Mnazi Mmoja Square, violating Ramadan fasting norms.
Eating in public during the day during Ramadan is considered a crime, leading to individuals being detained at the Madema Police Station pending the completion of investigative procedures, after which they will be subject to legal proceedings.
However, the police chief warned that police forces would continue to arrest anyone caught eating in public during the day during the holy month of Ramadan.
The 12 people arrested for the offense of eating in public during the day are currently in police custody at the Madema police station and investigative procedures are underway to prepare them for legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Zanzibar Tourism Commission, in its public statement, announced that it had fined Organisant Francophone Tours and Travel $500 for violating the Commission’s guidelines and allowing tourists to eat in public during this holy month of Ramadan.
The official statement from the Commission describes the following: “Despite issuing guidelines and directives for tourism businesses to follow, the company allowed customers to eat in public. Therefore, the Commission took the following actions: it imposed a fine of $500 and immediately suspended the activity. company’s tour guide, Khamis M. Kahogo, to conduct tourism activities for three months.
