Faizel Patel, 2016-06-07
As a billion Muslims around the globe observe the month of Ramadan by abstaining from eating, drinking and smoking, from dawn to dusk, for some countries the fast may be longer or shorter than usual.
While Muslims in Denmark will observe the longest fasting period in the world for 22 hours, those in Argentina will fast the least number of hours with 9 hours and 30 minutes.
In South Africa Muslim’s will be fasting for 12 hours with the fast beginning at 5:28am and ending at 5:25pm.
As per the global map, other countries with long fasting hours include Iceland, Sweden and Norway of about 20 hours.
The Netherlands and Belgium with 18 hours and 30 minutes, Spain 17 hours and 30 minutes while England and Germany at 16 hours and 30 minutes.
Those in the US France and Italy will fast for 16 hours.
Besides Argentina where Muslims will fast for the least number of hours Australia will observe fast for 10 hours, Brazil 11 hours and Mexico 13 hours and 20 minutes this Ramadan.
The Indian subcontinent along with the Arab states will observe medium fasting hours which varies from a minimum of 14 hours to a maximum of 16 and a half hours.
For northern hemisphere dwellers at least this year Ramadan won’t cover summer solstice the longest day of the year but the days will steadily get longer as the month goes on.
According to astrologers the northern hemisphere will observe not only the longest fasting period but also the most heat in at least 33 years during this Ramadan.
This is because of the Sun passing over the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere making it the peak of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.
Ibrahim Mogra, assistant general secretary of the Muslim Council of Britain told The Guardian long fasts is part and parcel of the experience and most Muslim take it in their stride.
“We had a taste of this last year, but this year it’s even more challenging.”
London’s first Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, tweeted that fasting “won’t be easy” and said he will miss coffee the most.
The Mayor, a practicing Muslim, said he hoped that the holy month would help “break down the mystique and suspicion” that existed around his religion.
“It is a great opportunity to unite our many diverse communities and faith groups at charitable events and iftars [the post-sunset meal at which Ramadan observers break their fast] across the city.”
This year’s Ramadan is also said to be the hottest in recent history as most of the world are under scorching heat.
While India is facing the hottest ever summer this year, it is predicted that temperature in some parts of Saudi Arabia may touch 65 degrees.
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