Ramadan fasting durations vary worldwide due to the Earth’s axial tilt, meaning some countries experience longer fasting hours, while others have much shorter durations. In Malaysia, fasting lasts around 13 to 14 hours, but in some places, it can be as short as 7 to 10 hours!
Let’s explore 10 countries where fasting hours are significantly shorter than in Malaysia in 2025.
1. Antarctica (~6 to 7 hours)
Yes, Antarctica has one of the shortest fasting durations! Since Ramadan in 2025 falls in March-April, which is late summer/early autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, parts of Antarctica will experience very short daylight hours, meaning fasting could be as short as 6 to 7 hours.
2. Chile (Southern Region – Punta Arenas) (~7 to 8 hours)
Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities in the world, will have fasting durations of around 7 to 8 hours. Due to its position near the South Pole, daylight hours are short during this time of the year.
3. Argentina (Southern Region – Ushuaia) (~8 hours)
Ushuaia, often called “The End of the World,” is one of the southernmost inhabited cities. Here, Muslims will fast for about 8 hours, much shorter than Malaysia’s 13 to 14 hours.
4. New Zealand (Southern Region – Invercargill) (~9 hours)
Invercargill, one of New Zealand’s southernmost cities, will experience fasting durations of around 9 hours due to shorter daylight hours.
5. Australia (Southern Region – Tasmania, Melbourne) (~9 to 10 hours)
While Northern Australia has longer fasting durations, the southern parts, including Tasmania and Melbourne, will have fasting times of around 9 to 10 hours.
6. Uruguay (~10 hours)
Uruguay, located in South America, will have a fasting duration of approximately 10 hours due to its position in the Southern Hemisphere.
7. South Africa (Cape Town) (~10 to 11 hours)
Muslims in Cape Town will fast for about 10 to 11 hours, much shorter than in Malaysia due to the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
8. Brazil (Southern Region – Porto Alegre) (~10 to 11 hours)
In southern Brazil, fasting hours will range between 10 to 11 hours, shorter than the global average.
9. Indonesia (Southern Region – Bali, Kupang, Timor) (~12 hours)
While most of Indonesia has similar fasting hours to Malaysia, its southernmost regions will have shorter durations—around 12 hours.
10. Bolivia (~11 to 12 hours)
Bolivia’s fasting hours will be around 11 to 12 hours, making it one of the more manageable places to fast compared to Malaysia.
