GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Muslims from Morocco to Afghanistan are steeling themselves for the toughest Ramadan in more than three decades. No food or drink, not even a sip of water, for 14 hours a day during the hottest time of the year.
The monthlong test of self-restraint is made harder by daily power cuts in some parts of the Muslim world such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Gaza.With temperatures in the region routinely above 104 degrees and days at their longest of the year, governments are trying to alleviate the hardships of the sunrise-to-sunset fast.
Morocco resets the clock so followers can break the fast an hour early. Pakistan vows to cut daily blackouts, which last up to 22 hours. Civil service workers work fewer hours.
Despite the hardship, for many Muslims it’s the most anticipated part of the year — a time of family togetherness and religious devotion, a break from routine. Muslims believe God revealed the first verses of the Koran to the Prophet Mohammed during Ramadan.
The last time Ramadan started in mid-July was 1980. Winter fasts are easier because of cooler temperatures and shorter days. This year, Ramadan starts in most of the Muslim world Friday, though some mark the beginning Saturday.
Clerics say Islam exempts from the fast those in certain circumstances — the elderly, sick, pregnant women, nursing mons, children, travelers.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates allow laborers to break their fast if the temperature exceeds 122 degrees.