Muslims around the world have begun to prepare themselves for the month Ramadan in which they will fast from sunrise to sunset. The holy month, one of Islam’s five pillars, falls in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Rabat – All healthy Muslims who are not traveling or pregnant are expected to partake in Ramadan in order to purify themselves through fasting, prayer, and spiritual acts.
The duration of the daily fast during Ramadan depends on the number of hours between sunrise and sunset, which is affected by the season which Ramadan falls on.
During summer months, Muslims observing Ramadan must fast longer hours because the days are longer. The days vary in length depending on the country one lives in.
Europe
The Nordic countries generally have the longest fasting times; Denmark will have approximately 18 while Sweden and Norway will have 19, down from 19 and 20 in respectively in 2018.
Those observing Ramadan in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Spain will all fast for 16 hours.
Middle East and North Africa
The Middle East and North Africa region will experience slightly shorter fasting hours than those in Europe. Muslims will fast for 15 hours in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Kuwait, and Sudan and for 14 hours in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Asia and Australia
Those observing Ramadan in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India will fast for 15 hours.
As Australia is approaching winter, those living there will only fast for 12 hours.
North and South America
Muslims living in the United States and Canada will fast for 16 to 18 hours, depending on their exact location.
In Brazil and Argentina where they, like in Australia are coming up on winter, Muslims will fast for 12 hours.
