A man who was nabbed while smoking during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, has been severely punished for the act.

A Tunisian man who smoked a cigarette in public during the Muslim dawn-to-dusk holy fasting month of Ramadan, has been sentenced to one month in prison on Monday.

According to Agence France Presse, AFP, a spokesman, Chokri Lahmar revealed that the man was seen smoking outside the Bizerte courthouse by a judiciary official who informed the police before they arrested him and referred him to the prosecution.

He said the man had 10 days to appeal before the sentence takes effect.


Monday’s ruling came a day after dozens of Tunisians demonstrated in the capital Tunis to demand the right to eat and drink in public during the Muslim fasting month.

During Ramadan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk.

They break the fast with a meal known as iftar and before dawn they have a second opportunity to eat and drink during suhur.

[ads4]