Muslims In Iceland During Ramadan

[Daoloth]

I had a Muslim history teacher last year. One day, while bored, I asked him how Muslims in Iceland, or anywhere far north for that matter, do their Ramadan fasting. He was genuinely perplexed, and had no clue.

So, what’s the Straight Dope?

[alice_in_wonderland]

Well, according to my Muslim friend (I asked her just this question last week, only change Iceland to Norway).

Anyhow - theres a formula that people above a certain line of latitude use to determine fasting times - its based on the times that are observed in Meca.

See - E-Z, PEE-Z.

[clairobscur]

I’ve been told once exactly the same thing than [/a] alice **. That the sunrise/sunset times of a particular place was used instead of the local time. I don’t remember what place, but Mecca seems a logical choice.

[Bob_Scene]

I know a Moslem who lives in Alaska, and he says he and his family just use the local sunrise/sunset times, which means they only fast for a short time each day during Ramadan.

[hajario]

*Originally posted by Bob Scene *
**I know a Moslem who lives in Alaska, and he says he and his family just use the local sunrise/sunset times, which means they only fast for a short time each day during Ramadan. **

Ramadan is at a different time every year. This year it’s pretty easy but in a few years Alaskans will face Ramadan during the summer.

Haj

[Arnold_Winkelried]

From here:

4. Is a sighting in one area binding on Muslims in other areas?
   This is a point on which scholars have differed. According to the Shafii school, the sighting is not binding beyond 81 km, as stated by both Rafii and Nawawi. The authentic view of the madhhab is that it is binding on a strip of thickness 81km in either direction of the place of the sighting. This strip extends from the North Pole to the South Pole.

[Paul_in_Qatar]

Yep there is a ruling on this.

You estimate. Using the times at Mecca is probably a good practice.