Only a few weeks remain until the arrival of the holy month of Ramadan, which is expected to begin astronomically on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The crescent moon will be observed after sunset on Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
The fasting hours of the blessed month of Ramadan vary from country to country based on several factors, including proximity to the equator and the lines of latitude and longitude. It is known that daytime hours at this time of year are shorter in countries located south of the equator, while they are longer in those located in the northern hemisphere.
### Average Fasting Hours in Arab Countries
According to astronomers, the average fasting hours in Arab countries this year will range between approximately 16 hours and 13 hours. The longest fasting hours in the Arab world will be in Tunisia, averaging 15 hours and 45 minutes, whereas the shortest hours will be in the Comoros, at about 12 hours and 37 minutes.
The fasting hours in some countries are as follows:
- **Lebanon**: In Beirut, the shortest fasting day will be the first day of Ramadan at 13 hours and 45 minutes, and the longest will be the last day at 14 hours and 48 minutes.
- **Algeria**: The shortest day in Algiers will be the first day of Ramadan with 13 hours and 30 minutes, and the longest will be the last day at 14 hours and 56 minutes.
- **Libya**: The shortest day in Tripoli will be the first day at 13 hours and 42 minutes, and the longest will be the last day at 14 hours and 42 minutes.
- **Egypt**: The shortest day in Cairo will be 13 hours and 39 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 34 minutes.
- **Iraq**: The shortest day will be 13 hours and 39 minutes, and the longest in Baghdad will be 14 hours and 41 minutes.
- **Bahrain**: The shortest day in Manama will be 13 hours and 30 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 17 minutes.
- **UAE**: The first day in Abu Dhabi will be 13 hours and 30 minutes, and the last day will be 14 hours and 13 minutes.
- **Saudi Arabia**: The first day in Riyadh will be 13 hours and 29 minutes, and the last day will be 14 hours and 11 minutes.
- **Oman**: The first day in Muscat will be 13 hours and 31 minutes, and the last day will be 14 hours and 13 minutes.
- **Kuwait**: The shortest day in Kuwait City will be the first day of Ramadan at 13 hours and 31 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 23 minutes.
- **Jordan**: According to Amman time, the shortest day will be the first at 13 hours and 40 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 40 minutes.
- **Palestine**: The shortest fasting hours in Jerusalem will be 13 hours and 53 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 52 minutes.
- **Syria**: According to Damascus time, the shortest day will be 13 hours and 44 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 47 minutes.
- **Qatar**: The shortest in Doha will be 13 hours and 29 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours and 13 minutes.
- **Mauritania**: According to Nouakchott time, the shortest fasting day will be 13 hours and 28 minutes, and the longest will be 14 hours.
- **Sudan**: In Khartoum, the shortest day will be 13 hours and 20 minutes, and the longest will be 13 hours and 46 minutes.
- **Yemen**: According to Sana'a time, the shortest will be 13 hours and 23 minutes, and the longest will be 13 hours and 45 minutes.
- **Somalia**: The shortest fasting hours in Mogadishu will be 13 hours and 22 minutes, and the longest will be 13 hours and 27 minutes.
- **Djibouti**: The least number of fasting hours in the capital will be 13 hours and 25 minutes, with the most being 13 hours and 45 minutes.
### Fasting Hours Worldwide
On a global scale, the longest fasting hours during Ramadan will be in Greenland, approximately 20 hours, while the shortest will be 11 hours and 12 minutes in Johannesburg, South Africa.
### Number of Days in Ramadan 2023
It is expected astronomically that Ramadan this year will last 29 days, starting on Thursday, March 23, and concluding with Eid al-Fitr on Friday, April 21, 2023.
