Scandinavian Muslims to fast for 22 hours

Fatih Mehmet Karaca, the counselor of social and religious affairs in Stockholm, announced that in accordance with the Ramadan timetable prepared by Turkey's Presidency of Religious Affairs (DİB), the fasting period during the upcoming month of Ramadan in Sweden's northernmost cities of Kiruna and Norway's Tromso will be around 22 hours. Additionally, Muslims living in Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo and Copenhagen will fast for almost 20 hours, Karaca said. Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA), the representatives of the European Council for Fatwa and Research gathered in Stockholm to settle the timing details for iftars - the evening meal to break the fast - and sahur - the meal eaten before fasting - in a way that Muslims in Scandinavian countries can observe fasting as healthily as possible. DİB deputy head Ekrem Keleş and representatives of the DİB Higher Council attended the meeting as well. Karaca said a comprehensive guide will be prepared for the next year, which will present a detailed Ramadan timetable and prayer times for all Muslims in Scandinavian countries.