As the sacred month of Ramadan approaches, Muslims worldwide are gearing up for its commencement. During Ramadan, adherents practice fasting from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and beverages. The breaking of the fast, or iftar, emphasizes community and empathy for the less fortunate.
In 2024, Ramadan is expected to start around March 11, with slight variations in different countries, resulting in fasting durations ranging from 12 to over 18 hours. This estimate is based on astronomical calculations by Ibrahim Al Jarwan, Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Astronomy Society.
As Ramadan begins on March 11, Eid-ul-Fitar is anticipated to be celebrated on April 10 or 11.
Locations with the longest fasting periods (15 to 18 hours) include Nuuk, Greenland; Reykjavik, Iceland; Helsinki, Finland; Glasgow, Scotland; Ottawa, Canada; London, United Kingdom; Paris, France; Zurich, Switzerland; Rome, Italy; and Madrid, Spain.
Conversely, places with shorter fasting durations (12 to 14 hours) include Christchurch, New Zealand; Puerto Montt, Chile; Jakarta, Indonesia; Nairobi, Kenya; Karachi, Pakistan; and New Delhi, India.
Throughout the Middle East and the Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt, fasting hours are expected to range from 13 to 15 hours, depending on the specific location.
