Tunisians demand the right to eat and drink during Ramadan as they protest against non-fasters being arrested

• There is no official law against eating or drinking in public during Ramadan 
• But every year the issue comes to the forefront in the North African country 
• Officials arrested four people earlier this month for eating in public in Tunisia
• They were jailed for 'public indecency' after eating outside during daylight

Tunisian protesters hold placards during a demonstration for the right to eat and smoke in public during the Muslim dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan on Sunday

Dozens of Tunisians demonstrated on Sunday to demand the right to eat and drink in 

public during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan and to protest against non-fasters 

being arrested.

There is no law against eating or drinking in public during Ramadan, but every year the 

issue comes to the fore in the North African country.

Tunisia's constitution guarantees 'freedom of belief and conscience', but the state is also the 

'guardian of religion'.

A protester in Tunis openly smokes a cigarette and holds a placard reading in French 'Why does it bother you if you fast and I eat?' during Ramadan on Sunday

Following a call by the 'Mouch Bessif' (Arabic for 'Not against our will') group, protesters in 

central Tunis shouted that 'Individual freedom is guaranteed by the constitution!'

One man openly smoking a cigarette - this is also deemed unacceptable during Ramadan 

daylight hours - held a placard in French that asked: 'Why does it bother you if you fast and I 

eat?'

Demonstrators also protested against the arrest of people who were 

not fasting.

At the beginning of June, four men were sentenced to a month in jail 

for 'public indecency' after eating outside during daylight.

'We're protesting about lawsuits against non-fasters... Whoever wants

 to fast can fast, but whoever doesn't want to shouldn't have to,' 

demonstrator Karim Chair told AFP.

Tunisian protesters hold placards during a demonstration for the right to eat and smoke in public during the Muslim dawn-to-dusk fasting month of Ramadan on Sunday

Since the 2011 revolution there have been calls for the right not to fast, but this was the first time such a demonstration has taken place in Tunisia.

'I fast but I came to join this protest and call with these people for respect for the freedom of belief and conscience,' said another demonstrator, Kamel Jalouli.

Most cafes and restaurants in Tunisia close during the day in Ramadan, and those that open do so discreetly.

As this year's fasting month began, a media-oriented preacher went round cafes open during the day to record footage of clients and shame them in a move that was heavily criticised on social networks.