Ramadan 2025 is well under way, and Muslims worldwide remain committed to fasting throughout the month. However, while fasting is a defining aspect of the month, its duration is not fixed. Observers must abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs from dawn (fajr) until sunset (maghrib), but the length of this fast varies depending on location. This variation is due to the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun, which influence the length of daylight hours.
Additionally, because Ramadan follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which is roughly 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, its timing shifts annually, affecting fasting durations even further.
The length of the fast in any given location is determined by the time between dawn and sunset. Fasting hours do not vary much in equatorial regions such as Singapore, Somalia and Colombia, where daylight hours remain relatively consistent throughout the year. However, in places at higher latitudes such as Scandinavia, Canada, or parts of Russia, the length of the fast varies dramatically. The same is true for lower latitudes, such as South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
For example, in cities near the equator, such as Jakarta and Nairobi, fasting hours remain relatively steady at around 12–13 hours a day.
In contrast, in northern cities such as Reykjavik and Tromso, fasting hours can extend well beyond 18 or even 20 hours in winter. In some extreme cases, where the Sun does not set or rise fully (such as in parts of northern Finland and Sweden during summer and winter months), scholars recommend following the fasting hours of Makkah or a nearby moderate location.
Ramadan lasts approximately 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the crescent moon. During this month, fasting hours change gradually as the Earth continues its orbit around the Sun. Because Ramadan is not fixed to a specific season in the solar calendar, the extent of change within the month depends on a location's latitude and the season in which it falls.
For instance, if Ramadan occurs in April or May, countries in the Northern Hemisphere experience increasing daylight hours as they move towards summer, meaning fasting times lengthen slightly each day. At the same time, fasting hours gradually decrease in the Southern Hemisphere, where the days are shortening towards winter.
MATCH INFO
Fixture: Thailand v UAE, Tuesday, 4pm (UAE)
TV: Abu Dhabi Sports
Stormy seas
Weather warnings show that Storm Eunice is soon to make landfall. The videographer and I are scrambling to return to the other side of the Channel before it does. As we race to the port of Calais, I see miles of wire fencing topped with barbed wire all around it, a silent ‘Keep Out’ sign for those who, unlike us, aren’t lucky enough to have the right to move freely and safely across borders.
We set sail on a giant ferry whose length dwarfs the dinghies migrants use by nearly a 100 times. Despite the windy rain lashing at the portholes, we arrive safely in Dover; grateful but acutely aware of the miserable conditions the people we’ve left behind are in and of the privilege of choice.
Film: In Syria
Dir: Philippe Van Leeuw
Starring: Hiam Abbass, Diamand Bo Abboud, Mohsen Abbas and Juliette Navis
Verdict: Four stars
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, (Leon banned).
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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MATCH INFO
Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD
* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
Dr Amal Khalid Alias revealed a recent case of a woman with daughters, who specifically wanted a boy.
A semen analysis of the father showed abnormal sperm so the couple required IVF.
Out of 21 eggs collected, six were unused leaving 15 suitable for IVF.
A specific procedure was used, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection where a single sperm cell is inserted into the egg.
On day three of the process, 14 embryos were biopsied for gender selection.
The next day, a pre-implantation genetic report revealed four normal male embryos, three female and seven abnormal samples.
Day five of the treatment saw two male embryos transferred to the patient.
The woman recorded a positive pregnancy test two weeks later.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The British in India: Three Centuries of Ambition and Experience
by David Gilmour
Allen Lane
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
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