Why Muslims in Alaska will fast 9 hours more than others [View all]

The Islamic fasting month of Ramadan is estimated to begin at sundown Wednesday in the U.S., but some Muslims around the world will face bigger challenges than others.

The Quran is clear that the fast should last from before dawn to after dusk but says nothing about how many hours that might be.

Since Islam has spread from its Arabian heartland to the far reaches of the Earth, Muslims who live farther north must fast several hours longer than those in Mecca. On the year's longest day, June 21, some could end up fasting for as long as 20 hours.

Usama Hasan, a British Islamic scholar, believes this makes Ramadan fasting unbearable for many Muslims living in Northern Europe and Canada, especially the old and children just beginning to observe the practice. It also prompts many Muslims to give up fasting altogether during the summer, he said, or sneak a secret snack to help them get through the long days.

Read more: http://www.khou.com/story/news/2015/06/16/muslims-fast-longer-in-alaska-for-ramadan/28824639/