CAIRO – The holy fasting month of Ramadan will include the longest day in the year, June 21, which marks that start of the summer, adding to the challenges of high temperatures and long fasting hours that will face millions of Muslims across the world.
"Ramadan this year will include the longest day of the year and will be a very hot month," said Nawaf Al Sharif, a spokesman at Met and Environment Department, Emirates 24/7 reported.
According to the Saudi official, the day will last for 13 hours and 27 minutes in the Western Saudi town of Makkah and an average 13 hours and 41 minutes in Madinah on that day, Ramadan 4.
World Muslims are set to observe a hot and long fasting month year, with an average temperature of 44 degrees Celsius in the first thirds of Ramadan.
In many areas of Saudi Arabia, the temperature is expected to reach 50 degrees Celsius according to the Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME).
The Supreme Court has called on all Muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to sight the crescent of the holy month of Ramadan on Tuesday evening, 29 Sha'ban, corresponding to June 16.
In Ramadan, adult Muslims, save the sick and those traveling, abstain from food, drink, smoking and sex between dawn and sunset.
Muslims dedicate their time during the holy month to become closer to Allah through prayer, self-restraint and good deeds.
It is customary for Muslims to spend part of the days during Ramadan studying the Noble Qur'an.
Many men perform i`tikaf (spiritual retreat), spending the last 10 days of the month exclusively in the mosque.
Planning
Muslims bracing for long fasting hours amid high temperature were urged to manage their time effectively.
"We shall fast for an average of 15 hours, more so during the searing heat. But that is no reason to be scared because Allah once commanded hell to be peaceful to His Prophet Ibrahim," Ismail Kikomeko, the Chairman of the Ugandan Community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was quoted The Gulf Today.
"It all revolves around having total faith in our Creator who decided to have this month occur during this period of time."
For employees, making a compromise between their work and worship activities is not an easy task.
Hindu Nangonzi, a security personnel with Farnak in Al Quoz, said that she goes into Ramadan with more time planning "and suddenly I realize I don't have enough time to execute work and conduct extra worship activities. Time flies fast."
On his part, Baker Kabito, Ugandan-born pump attendant, expressed excitement over spending Ramadan in United Arab Emirates for the first time.
"I am just waiting to see how different Ramadan will be," Kabito said.
The first five days of fasting "shall guide me on how to plan the rest of my days of Ramadan."
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