With the crescent moon officially sighted, Saudi Arabia has declared that Ramadan 2025 will commence on Friday, February 28. The duration of fasting varies worldwide, ranging from 12 to 17 hours depending on location.
Why Do Fasting Hours Vary?
Muslims observe fasting from dawn to sunset, and the duration depends on geographical positioning. Countries near the equator have relatively steady fasting lengths year-round, while those in higher latitudes, such as Iceland and Greenland, experience drastic changes.
In the Northern Hemisphere, fasting hours will continue to shorten until 2031, when Ramadan aligns with the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year. In contrast, those in the Southern Hemisphere will see their fasting durations lengthen.
Cities with the Longest and Shortest Fasting Durations
Longest Fasting Durations:
- Nuuk, Greenland – 18 hours 12 minutes
- Reykjavik, Iceland – 18 hours
- Glasgow, Scotland – 17 hours
- London, United Kingdom – 15 to 16 hours
- Paris, France – 15 hours 54 minutes
- Ottawa, Canada – 15 hours 12 minutes
- Lisbon, Portugal – 15 to 16 hours
- Athens, Greece – 15 to 16 hours
Shortest Fasting Durations:
- Singapore – 13 to 14 hours
- Brasilia, Brazil – 12 to 13 hours
- Harare, Zimbabwe – 12 to 13 hours
- Johannesburg, South Africa – 11 to 12 hours
- Buenos Aires, Argentina – 12 hours
- Cape Town, South Africa – 11 to 12 hours
- Christchurch, New Zealand – 12 hours
- Ciudad del Este, Paraguay – 11 to 12 hours
Fasting in Regions with Extreme Daylight Conditions
In areas where the sun barely sets or does not rise for extended periods, such as Longyearbyen in Norway, Islamic scholars advise following the fasting schedule of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, or the nearest country with standard day and night cycles.
Common Ramadan Greetings in Different Languages
During Ramadan, Muslims exchange greetings to celebrate the holy month. The most widely used are “Ramadan Mubarak” and “Ramadan Kareem.” Other variations include:
Arabic: Ramadan Mubarak / Ramadan Kareem
Turkish: Ramazan Mubarek Olsun
Persian: Ramazan Mobarak
Urdu: Ramazan Mubarak
Malay: Selamat Berpuasa
Hausa: Barka da Ramadan
The Spiritual Significance of Ramadan
Muslims believe that Ramadan marks the month when the Quran’s first verses were revealed to Prophet Muhammad over 1,400 years ago. Observing the fast fosters greater taqwa (God-consciousness) by refraining from food, drink, smoking, and marital relations during daylight hours.
Previous years we have distributed:
Over the years, we have had the honor of reaching communities across the world with our iftar distributions. Our efforts have extended to:
North America: Anguilla (Isla De Anguilla)
South America: Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Venezuela
Africa: Benin, Togo, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Ghana, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Comoros, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, Western Sahara, Chad, Mauritania, Tanzania
Europe: Ukraine, Moldova
Asia: Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Türkiye
We are hoping to reach more places for our Ummah worldwide and expand our reach in the coming years
Spread the Blessing: Global Iftar Distribution 2025
Ramadan is a time of reflection, devotion, and communal unity—a season defined by worship, self-restraint, and generosity. Don’t let those fasting miss the joy of iftar. Join our Iftar Ramadan Distribution Service today and help deliver nourishing meals to people breaking their fast worldwide.
Act now—share the gift of iftar and brighten someone’s day!
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