The Lunar Calendar is known to be shorter than the Gregorian one. That’s why Ramadan, the month of fasting, begins 10 to 11 days earlier every year. The fast is rather long this summer, but it has begun after the summer solstice, and every next day started getting a few minutes shorter than the previous.
It’ll be more difficult on the two following years, as the summer solstice is respectively at the beginning and in the middle of Ramadan.
What The Muslim Fasting Includes
Fasting in Islam includes restraining from food, drinks and intimate marital relations from the flush of dawn until the sunset. Besides, the Almighty sent a warning by the hand of His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that if the one who didn’t stop lying and harassing people by purpose — thirst and hunger would be the only reward for his fasting.
Ukrainian Muslims’ Fast
The fast last for about 18 hours per day for Ukrainian Muslims this year. Of course as far as the daylight hours lessen, the fast gets several minutes shorter every day.
Duration of Fasting All Over The World
However, our compatriots’ fasting isn’t the longest-running, though someone might think it difficult taking into account summer heat and high humidity.
Muslims in the northern latitudes lenten the longest. The fast in Reykjavik (capital of Iceland), for example, lasts 21 hours 13 minutes; in Helsinki (Finland), Stockholm (Sweden), Oslo (Norway) and Copenhagen (Denmark) the believers restrain from food and water during 19.5 hrs. London Muslims (Great Britain) fast for about 20 hrs per day.
The Fast Is of A Shorter Duration In The South
The shortest fast around the world in for believers of Chile and Argentina — slightly exceeding 9 hrs this year. The Australians are fasting for about 2 hrs longer in average.
The Palestinians are fasting for 16 hrs per day, Egyptians and Syrians — about 15 hrs per day. Daylight in Lebanon and Iraq is about half an hour shorter.
Among the Muslim countries of South Africa the longest-fasting cities are Cape Town, RSA (11:50), Nairobi, Kenia (13:34) and Dakar ,Senegal (14:33).
Related links:
In 2013 Ramadan Begins On The Eve of July 8
Chairman of AUASO "Alraid": "Joint Iftars in Ramadan — more than just Meal"
"Al-Azhar" Imams to lead Prayers of Ukrainian Muslims throughout Ramadan
