As Muslims around the world prepare for the holy month of Ramadan, they engage in fasting from dawn until dusk, a practice that holds deep spiritual significance. Ramadan, a period dedicated to worship, reflection, and community, requires participants to abstain from food and water, as well as from temptations and misdeeds, focusing instead on their relationship with God.
Each day of Ramadan begins with an early morning meal known as suhoor, which sustains individuals until they break their fast at sunset with a meal called iftar. Throughout this sacred month, regardless of their fasting status—some individuals may be exempt from fasting for various reasons—Muslims strive for greater spiritual awareness and connection with their faith.
The lengths of fasting during Ramadan vary significantly based on geography and local time changes, particularly due to daylight saving adjustments in the United States. Fasting hours globally can range from approximately 11.5 hours to 15.5 hours, influenced by location and seasonal daylight variations. In Ohio, for instance, Muslims will observe daily fasts lasting up to 12 hours in the early days of Ramadan.
As daylight saving time approaches, which begins in early March, fasting hours will be impacted. In Columbus, on the first full day of Ramadan this year, fasting commenced at 6:06 a.m. and concluded at 6:12 p.m. However, with the clock adjustments on March 8, fasting times will change to start at 6:42 a.m. and end at 7:31 p.m., resulting in a fasting duration of nearly 13 hours.
The timing of Ramadan shifts each year due to the Islamic calendar being lunar-based, creating a cycle where the holy month occurs roughly 10 to 12 days earlier each year. This fluctuation means that Ramadan will fall in different seasons; for example, it began during the long summer days in June in 2015 and will eventually align with the winter solstice by 2031, shortening fasting hours due to decreased daylight.
Looking forward, the diversity of experiences during Ramadan across the globe demonstrates the adaptability and resilience of Muslim communities. Whether facing longer or shorter fasts, the core essence of Ramadan remains the same: a time for spiritual growth and connection with family and community. As Ramadan unfolds, millions share in a collective journey of faith, reflection, and renewal, marking it as a profoundly significant time of the year.