Dubai: The duration of fasting by Muslims during the month of Ramadan, which is scheduled to start next month, will exceed 14 hours this year, making it the longest day of the holy month in 26 years, a calendar expert has said.
"The first day of Ramadan will be the longest day as Muslims will have to fast for 14 hours and 50 minutes, making it the longest fasting day in 26 years," said Ashraf Nourul Haq Ashraf, head of the Calendar Department at Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities here.
The minimum duration of fasting during this Ramadan will be 14 hours, Ashraf told Gulf News.
He urged all those who will be observing fast during Ramadan to avoid direct sunlight and take precautionary measures.
According to the weather office, this Ramadan is also going to be one of the hottest months of this summer as the temperature throughout the month will vary between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, July 06, 2011, 12:43