Fasting hours during this year's Holy month of Ramadan, set to begin from June 18 or 19 based on moon reports in different parts of the world, will be the longest in Denmark and shortest in Argentina, according to the latest maps recording fasting hours across the world.
While Muslims in Denmark will observe the longest fasting period in the world - for 21 hours, those in Argentina will fast the least number of hours - 9 hours and 30 minutes, according to a report published by emirates247.com.
As per the global map, other countries with long fasting hours include Iceland, Sweden and Norway of about 20 hours. The Netherlands and Belgium with 18 hours and 30 minutes; Spain 17 hours and 30 minutes; while England and Germany at 16 hours and 30 minutes.
Those in the US, France and Italy will fast for 16 hours. Besides Argentina where Muslims will fast for the least number of hours, Australia will observe fast for 10 hours, South Africa 10 hours and 30 minutes; Brazil 11 hours; Mexico 13 hours and 20 minutes this Ramadan.
The Indian subcontinent along with the Arab states will observe medium fasting hours - which varies from a minimum of 14 hours to a maximum of 16-and-a-half hours. In Pakistan, Muslims will observe fasting for about 14 hours whereas in India fasting hours during this years Ramadan will be around 14 hours and 30 minutes.
Those in Egypt will fast up to 16-and-a-half hours; and people in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Palestine for 15 hours. In Yemen, fasting period will be 14 hours and 50 minutes; in Qatar 14 hours and 40 minutes; Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Algeria, Morocco and Libya, Sudan will observe 14 hours.
According to astrologers, the northern hemisphere will observe not only the longest fasting period but also the most heat in at least 33 years during this Ramadan. This is because of the Sun passing over the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere, making it the peak of summer in the northern hemisphere and winter in the southern hemisphere.
This year's Ramadan is also said to be the hottest in recent history as most of the world are under scorching heat. While India is facing the hottest ever summer this year, it is predicted that temperature in some parts of Saudi Arabia may touch 65 degrees.
