Ramadan timings shift slightly each year because it follows the lunar calendar, which is around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This means that each year, Ramadan starts about 10-11 days earlier, depending on the moon sighting in your location.
🌙 Fasting Hours in Ramadan:
The fasting period lasts from dawn (Fajr) to sunset (Maghrib).
- Fajr (Dawn): The first meal of the day, Suhoor, should be completed before the Fajr prayer time begins. This is when the fast officially starts.
- Maghrib (Sunset): The fast ends at Maghrib, and Iftar (breaking the fast) happens right at sunset.
🕰️ Shifting Timings
Since Ramadan follows the lunar calendar, the timing of Fajr and Maghrib shifts by about 10-11 minutes earlier each year. In regions closer to the equator, the timing variation is less noticeable, but in places farther north or south, the length of the fast can vary significantly throughout the years.
- Longer Fasts: In countries located further north, the days get longer, and fasting times can exceed 18 hours in the summer months.
- Shorter Fasts: In countries near the equator or the southern hemisphere, fasting times are generally more consistent throughout the year.
🌍 Global Variations:
Since Ramadan is based on the moon sighting, the exact start and end dates vary by location. Some countries may begin Ramadan a day earlier or later, depending on the local moon sighting.
💡 Pro Tip for Timing:
To help with the fasting schedule, many mosques and Islamic apps provide accurate prayer times for your location. You can also rely on local communities for Iftar and Suhoor times.
🌙 Have you noticed the fasting hours getting longer or shorter as the years go by in your region?
The Dappled Odysseys 