Man arrested in Hulhumal

A man has been arrested in Hulhumalé for eating on the street during the day during Ramadan.

Police said that the 30-year-old man was arrested at around 9:30 a.m. today by Hulhumalé patrol police.

Yesterday, a man who was eating a chocolate on the street was arrested in Malé.

Earlier, less than ten days into the holy month of Ramadan, police said that eight people had been arrested for eating during the day.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and anyone who misses a day of fasting during Ramadan for no valid reason must make up for it by fasting 60 continuous days or feeding 60 poor people.

The usual penalty issued by the Criminal Court for eating during Ramadan is a fine of MVR 150. In a few cases though, people have been sentenced to six months in prison for this offence.