The sacred month of Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual reflection and fasting for Muslims worldwide, is set to commence after sunset on Tuesday, February 17, or Wednesday, February 18, depending on geographical location. This annual observance holds immense significance, calling believers to abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn until dusk.
The precise dates of Ramadan shift each year. This fluctuation is a direct consequence of the Islamic calendar’s reliance on the lunar cycle. Unlike the solar Gregorian calendar, the Islamic calendar observes the phases of the moon, causing Ramadan to move approximately 11 days earlier in the Gregorian calendar annually. This ensures that over a cycle of roughly 33 years, Ramadan traverses all seasons.
Across the globe, the daily fasting ritual spans from the first light of dawn (Subuh or Fajr) to the moment the sun dips below the horizon at dusk (Maghrib). This rigorous commitment is undertaken daily for a duration of 29 to 30 days, inviting Muslims into a month of heightened devotion and self-discipline.
How Geography and Seasons Influence Fasting Durations
The variation in daily fasting times across the globe is profoundly impacted by geography and the Earth’s seasonal tilt. Currently, the Southern Hemisphere is experiencing its summer months. This seasonal alignment translates into longer daylight hours, consequently extending the daily fasting period for Muslims observing Ramadan in these regions, making their fasts longer than during winter.
Conversely, the Northern Hemisphere is currently enveloped in winter’s embrace. For Muslims here, this means significantly shorter daylight hours, making the daily fast considerably shorter and often more manageable. The further a location is from the equator, the more pronounced these seasonal differences become, leading to dramatically longer daylight hours in summer and extended nights in winter.
Consider the extremes: in Puerto Williams, Chile, often recognized as the world’s southernmost city, the fast at the beginning of Ramadan stretches from approximately 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM, totaling a substantial 14.5 hours.
In stark contrast, Longyearbyen, Norway, widely regarded as the northernmost permanent settlement, experiences an exceptionally brief fasting period early in the holy month, lasting only about 2.5 hours—from roughly 10:50 AM to 1:30 PM. Faced with such dramatic variations, Muslims residing in these extreme polar regions often adopt the timings of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. This practical solution ensures that their daily fasts are neither excessively long nor virtually non-existent, providing a balanced and spiritually fulfilling observance.
Historically, for the northern parts of the world, the longest fasting days for Ramadan occur when the holy month falls around June 21, coinciding with the summer solstice. Conversely, the shortest fasting periods are experienced when Ramadan encompasses December 21, the winter solstice. The situation is reversed in the Southern Hemisphere: fasting durations lengthen as Ramadan gradually shifts into December each year and shorten as it moves towards June.
How Many Hours Do Muslims Fast Per Day?
Across Arab nations, Muslims can expect to fast for approximately 12 to 13 hours daily. In the revered holy city of Makkah itself, the fast at the beginning of Ramadan commences around 6:50 AM and concludes at 6:20 PM, equating to about 11.5 hours. Interestingly, by the end of the sacred month, the fasting period will extend by half an hour, reflecting the subtle shift in daylight.
Muslims residing in major cities of the Southern Hemisphere face considerably longer fasting hours compared to their counterparts in the Middle East. For instance, in Argentina’s capital, Buenos Aires, adherents will observe a fast lasting 13 hours and 15 minutes at the start of Ramadan. A similar duration is experienced by Muslims in Auckland, New Zealand.
In both Buenos Aires and Auckland, however, the fasting hours will decrease by approximately an hour towards the end of the holy month, a direct consequence of the shortening daylight periods in the Southern Hemisphere during that time. The Northern Hemisphere, meanwhile, presents a vastly different picture with widely varying fasting durations.
In Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, for example, the fast begins at around 9 hours at the start of Ramadan, but significantly increases to over 12 hours by the month’s conclusion. This year’s fasting period is generally much more manageable than when Ramadan falls during the longer daylight hours of June or July. During those summer months, the duration of daylight in northern latitudes can dramatically extend, posing a significant challenge to fasters.
Indeed, in some parts of Norway, Russia, and Greenland, Muslims might fast for up to 20 hours when Ramadan coincides with the peak of summer. For Muslims in the Northern Hemisphere, this year’s fasting duration will be slightly shorter than last year’s. This trend of decreasing overall duration is set to continue annually until 2031.
By 2031, Ramadan will align with the winter solstice on December 21, bringing the shortest possible fasts for northern latitudes. Conversely, Muslims in the Southern Hemisphere will experience progressively longer fasting periods each year until 2031, reflecting the inverse seasonal progression.
Sunrise and sunset information source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Global Monitoring Laboratory
Additional reporting by: Sergi Forcada Freixas, Andrew Webb, and Ethar Shalaby
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