Ramadan in northern Sweden

[hoopdriver]

When I was at the South Pole a few years ago there was a Muslim scientist there and this question arose. A cleric in Christchurch was consulted and the man received dispensation to do his fasting based on the times of sunrise and sunset in Christchurch, regardless of where the sun was at Pole itself - which at that time of years was uniformly at 23 degrees above the horizon, for perpetual daylight.

Clocks in the South Pole base are set to Christchurch time anyway so it was a simple matter.

 

[ArDee]

When I was at the South Pole a few years ago there was a Muslim scientist there and this question arose. A cleric in Christchurch was consulted and the man received dispensation to do his fasting based on the times of sunrise and sunset in Christchurch, regardless of where the sun was at Pole itself - which at that time of years was uniformly at 23 degrees above the horizon, for perpetual daylight.

Clocks in the South Pole base are set to Christchurch time anyway so it was a simple matter.

But at the South Pole it would be dark all the time in July, during Ramadan, and light all the time in December; why did the question arise there?
Do Muslim's south of the equator celibrate Ramadan in December not July?
If so how do they enjoy Christmas?

 

[hoopdriver]

You beat me to it - yes, Ramadan was in the middle of summer when I was at Pole. (Summer, in the southern hemisphere being December-January)

And...er...Muslims do not usually celebrate Christmas, regardless of which hemisphere they are in

 

[ArDee]

It is based on a lunar calander, so it shifts relative to the calendar calendar each year by about 10 days. So sometimes summer, sometimes winter.

Thanks for the explanation, didn't know it moved!

 

[ArDee]

And...er...Muslims do not usually celebrate Christmas, regardless of which hemisphere they are in

Yes; hence, the whistle enomicon - was intended as a joke. Sorry, I'll get my coat.