Every year, Muslims worldwide observe fasting during the month of Ramadan, with durations varying depending on each country's geographical location. The primary factor influencing the length of fasting hours is the difference in daylight hours across different regions worldwide.
Countries located near the North Pole, such as Finland, Greenland, and Iceland, experience significantly long fasting hours, sometimes exceeding 17 hours a day. In contrast, countries near the equator, such as Indonesia and Kenya, have relatively stable fasting durations, ranging between 12 to 13 hours per day.
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On the other hand, some countries in the Southern Hemisphere experience much shorter fasting hours, especially when Ramadan falls during winter. In Christchurch, New Zealand, and Puerto Montt, Chile, for example, Muslims fast for only 11.5 hours.
Meanwhile, the fasting duration in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Karachi, Pakistan, is around 12 hours. Despite these significant differences in fasting hours, Muslims worldwide continue to observe Ramadan with devotion and determination, adapting to their respective geographical conditions.
Also read: Indonesia Begins Ramadan Today, While Neighbors Start Tomorrow: Explained
Citing data from The Islamic Information, as reported by DetikEdu, here are the countries with the shortest and longest fasting durations:
Countries with the Shortest Fasting Duration:
- Christchurch, New Zealand (11.5 hours)
- Puerto Montt, Chile (11.5 hours)
- Karachi, Pakistan (12 hours)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (12 hours)
- Cape Town, South Africa (12.5 hours)
- New Delhi, India (12.5 hours)
- Jakarta, Indonesia (12.5 hours)
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates (13 hours)
- Nairobi, Kenya (13 hours)
Countries with the Longest Fasting Duration:
- Helsinki, Finland (17.5 hours)
- Nuuk, Greenland (17 hours)
- Glasgow, Scotland (16.5 hours)
- Ottawa, Canada (16.5 hours)
- Zurich, Switzerland (16.5 hours)
- Rome, Italy (16.5 hours)
- Madrid, Spain (16 hours)
- London, United Kingdom (16 hours)
- Paris, France (15.5 hours)
- Reykjavik, Iceland (15 hours)
