A British cleric has reportedly issued a fatwa to reduce prolonged fasting period for British Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. The start and end dates of the holy month vary depending upon the sighting of the moon. It is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. British Muslims are preparing for it, which is often considered the hardest due to the 16-19 hours of daylight in summer in the UK.
Sheikh Dr Usama Hasan of the Quillian Foundation has advocated that devotees in the UK should follow the timings observed in Mecca, where fasting hours last around 12 to 13 hours a day.
Muslims in the Arctic Circle were already planning to frame a new set of rules for their Ramadan fasting as the region have sunshine for 24 hours a day. Last year, Sheikh Hassan Halawa, of the European Council for Fatwa, however, opposed cutting short of the fasting period by saying that it is improper for British Muslims to not fast for the long summer times as there are countries where people fast in spite of the intolerable heat.
PM David Cameron praising the Muslim values said, “As friends and families come together, in contemplation and in fasting, we are reminded of those Muslim values – those British values – of community, family and charity...
“British Muslims are at the top of every field from our biggest businesses to our precious health service to our Houses of Parliament - and yes – to the Cabinet I lead.
“I’ve talked a lot about One Nation – about Britain being a country where everyone can get on, whatever their background and wherever they’re from. British Muslims embody that spirit.... Britain will reflect on the universal values that Ramadan represents, and the contribution that British Muslims make to our country. Ramadan Mubarak to you all.”
To find more information on Ramadan timings see in your city: http://www.ramadan.co.uk
