The month of Ramazan is eagerly anticipated around the world by Muslims. God commands Muslims to fast during the holy month of Ramazan, dawn till sunset. Eating and drinking is forbidden till sunset, when Muslims break their fast most of the times with a date and consume a celebratory meal known as Iftar.
For how long does a person have to fast (speaking strictly in terms of hours) depends on where he is in the world. For instance, Muslims in Denmark will observe the longest fast, which will be 21 hours long. Whereas for Muslims in Argentina, the going does not get tough, as they only have to fast for a meager 9 and a half hours! Muslims in the United Kingdom will fast for a period of 19 hours, meaning five hours later, they have to observe another fast again.
This is due to the fact that an individual’s fast commences from the time of Fajr prayer and concludes at the time of Maghrib prayers. The first fast of this year in Pakistan is expected to be on 19th June and it will be 15 hours and 10 minutes long. Take a look at the chart below to gauge the length of fasts during Ramazan in these different countries:-
Iceland, Sweden and Norway
Fasts are expected to be 20 hours long.
Netherlands and Belgium
Fasts are expected to be 18.5 hours long
Spain
Fasts are expected to be 17.5 hours long
England and Germany
Fasts are expected to be 16.5 hours long
America, France, Italy and Egypt
Fasts are expected to be 16 hours long
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Palestine
15 hours
Dubai
14 hours and 51 minutes
Iraq, Syria, Morocco, Algeria, Libya and Sudan
14 hours
Australia
10 hours
South Africa
10 hours and 30 minutes
Brazil
11 hours
