Muslims around the world are currently celebrating the holy month of Ramadan, which includes fasting during daylight hours. The fast can usually only be broken when the sun sets.
So what happens if Ramadan falls during the summer months in the Arctic, where the sun doesn't set for almost 2 months? That is the case this year.
This article provides more details on how Muslims in Inuvik handle the unique circumstances of living this far north, but the short answer is that observant Muslims can either follow the time in Mecca, or the closest large city to the south. In Inuvik, local Muslims follow Winnipeg’s prayer times, which means they fast from about 4 am to 9 pm.
Below are a couple of photos that I took of the mosque here in Inuvik. There are approximately 100 Muslims in Inuvik. From what I have observed, they are well accepted in our small community here. Most of them work for the local taxi companies or at a local restaurant and are an important part of what makes Inuvik so special.
So what happens if Ramadan falls during the summer months in the Arctic, where the sun doesn't set for almost 2 months? That is the case this year.
This article provides more details on how Muslims in Inuvik handle the unique circumstances of living this far north, but the short answer is that observant Muslims can either follow the time in Mecca, or the closest large city to the south. In Inuvik, local Muslims follow Winnipeg’s prayer times, which means they fast from about 4 am to 9 pm.
Below are a couple of photos that I took of the mosque here in Inuvik. There are approximately 100 Muslims in Inuvik. From what I have observed, they are well accepted in our small community here. Most of them work for the local taxi companies or at a local restaurant and are an important part of what makes Inuvik so special.
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