How long do Muslims fast in Ramadan across globe?

The Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It starts once the first moon of the new lunar cycle is visible in Mecca. Fasting during this month is mandatory for all the adult Muslims, except for the ones who are sick, pregnant, diabetic, menstruating or breastfeeding.

While the length of the month would be the same for all Muslims, the hours of daily fasting may vary in order to the changes of the longitude of the location.

According to islamicfinder.com, because Muslims vow to abstain from eating and drinking during daylight hours, those living further north have to observe fasting much longer than their counterparts living closer to the equator or even in the Southern hemisphere, which is celebrating Ramadan during winter.

Muslims in Oslo technically have to do so for more than 19 hours. Muslims in Kuala Lumpur, (Malaysia) fast for 13 hours approximately. The daylight in Melbourne (Australia) in the Southern Hemisphere has for only about 11 hours and 30 minutes. In India fasting is observed for about 14 hours.

Some Muslims in the northern countries feel they are unfairly treated by the lunar forces that govern Ramadan and have found alternative solutions. According to a report in 'Der Spiegel', the town Tromso in the very north of Norway has adopted the fasting hours of Mecca – approximately 14 hours and 30 minutes.

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