Produced by: Al Jazeera World
Runtime: 45 minutes
Released: 2016
Overview
How does it feel to fast for nearly 21 hours a day — or only 11 — during Ramadan? In this engaging 45-minute documentary, Al Jazeera World takes viewers to opposite ends of the globe to experience Ramadan through the eyes of Muslims in Iceland and New Zealand.
While the core practices of Ramadan — fasting, prayer, reflection — are shared across the global Muslim community, the documentary highlights how geography and local conditions shape how the month is lived. With nearly 24-hour daylight in Iceland and shorter winter days in New Zealand, local Muslims adapt with both creativity and faith.
Why It’s Worth Watching
- A Tale of Two Hemispheres: From Reykjavík to Auckland, the film gives a rare glimpse into the Ramadan routines of Muslims living in extreme daylight conditions — and how they remain spiritually grounded.
- Flexible Fasting in a Fixed Faith: How do Icelandic Muslims fast when the sun hardly sets? Some follow local daylight, while others use Mecca time. The documentary explores both approaches with nuance and respect.
- Stories Over Stereotypes: Rather than generalizing, the film zooms in on individual families and communities, showing how they prepare for iftar, engage with their local mosques, and build traditions in non-Muslim-majority societies.
- Faith, Science & Adaptation: The documentary also touches on the scholarly perspectives and rulings that support flexibility in fasting — a testament to Islam’s universal applicability.
Want More?
If you enjoyed this global perspective on Ramadan, explore our Media section for more stories that reflect the diversity of Islamic life around the world.
💬 Comments
Have you ever experienced Ramadan in an unusual time zone or extreme daylight situation?
Do you think fasting should be adjusted based on location or aligned with Mecca time?
We’d love to hear your reflections and experiences in the comments!