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Ramadan in numbers Ramadan in numbers
(2 months later)
7,504,984 tonnes of dates produced7,504,984 tonnes of dates produced
Muslims traditionally use dates to break their fast, so sales of this sweet fruit soar during Ramadan. Medjool and Halawi may sound exotic but there are some more surprisingly named date variants because sellers often give the best crop gimmicky names.Muslims traditionally use dates to break their fast, so sales of this sweet fruit soar during Ramadan. Medjool and Halawi may sound exotic but there are some more surprisingly named date variants because sellers often give the best crop gimmicky names.
In 2009, the Obama date could be found after the US President's trip to Egypt. In 2011, buyers could purchase the Tahrir Square date and this year, according to Al Arabiya news channel, the Sisi date is being advertised on stalls across the country. The FAO estimate that 7.5 million tonnes of the sticky stuff were produced in 2011.In 2009, the Obama date could be found after the US President's trip to Egypt. In 2011, buyers could purchase the Tahrir Square date and this year, according to Al Arabiya news channel, the Sisi date is being advertised on stalls across the country. The FAO estimate that 7.5 million tonnes of the sticky stuff were produced in 2011.
1.6 billion1.6 billion
After Christianity, Islam is the second largest religion in the world according to Pew Research Center. Although the association with the Middle East appears unshakeable, 2 in 3 Muslims live in the Asia-Pacific region and Indonesia alone has more than 209 million Muslims.After Christianity, Islam is the second largest religion in the world according to Pew Research Center. Although the association with the Middle East appears unshakeable, 2 in 3 Muslims live in the Asia-Pacific region and Indonesia alone has more than 209 million Muslims.
15 hours15 hours
Muslim residents in the UAE will have to abstain from food and drink for 15 hours each day during the holy month - no easy task given that temperatures in July can soar upwards of 50ºC.Muslim residents in the UAE will have to abstain from food and drink for 15 hours each day during the holy month - no easy task given that temperatures in July can soar upwards of 50ºC.
Fasting from sunrise to sunset means that the Ramadan experience can vary hugely for Muslims in different countries - in Sweden (home to more than 350,000 Muslims) the day may stretch more than 20 hours, while in Argentina it is just 9.Fasting from sunrise to sunset means that the Ramadan experience can vary hugely for Muslims in different countries - in Sweden (home to more than 350,000 Muslims) the day may stretch more than 20 hours, while in Argentina it is just 9.
2.5%2.5%
Charity is one of the five main obligations for all Muslims, but Ramadan is a time when giving is considered particularly important. At a minimum, zakāt (meaning 'the poor rate') requires that Muslims donate around 2.5% of what they earn on capital assets.Charity is one of the five main obligations for all Muslims, but Ramadan is a time when giving is considered particularly important. At a minimum, zakāt (meaning 'the poor rate') requires that Muslims donate around 2.5% of what they earn on capital assets.
6 hours6 hours
According to Article 68 of Oman's labour law, it is illegal to work more than six hours a day during Ramadan. The economic consequences of Ramadan have long been researched and are a contested topic. Productivity tends to decline in Muslim countries while demand for cultural, religious and gift products can increase dramatically.According to Article 68 of Oman's labour law, it is illegal to work more than six hours a day during Ramadan. The economic consequences of Ramadan have long been researched and are a contested topic. Productivity tends to decline in Muslim countries while demand for cultural, religious and gift products can increase dramatically.
6.5 million6.5 million
Saudi Arabia has a foreign population of 6.5 million according to official estimates, including 1.8 million Indians and 1.4 million Filipinos. But the gulf state may not be the most hospitable place for them after it issued a warning on Wednesday that any foreigners who eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan "will face legal action commensurate with their violation" ... "punishment could be a prison term or lashes or both while foreigners could, in addition, be deported from the kingdom". Meanwhile, Muslim minorities in places like China's Xinjiang region are prohibited from respecting Ramadan.Saudi Arabia has a foreign population of 6.5 million according to official estimates, including 1.8 million Indians and 1.4 million Filipinos. But the gulf state may not be the most hospitable place for them after it issued a warning on Wednesday that any foreigners who eat, drink or smoke in public during Ramadan "will face legal action commensurate with their violation" ... "punishment could be a prison term or lashes or both while foreigners could, in addition, be deported from the kingdom". Meanwhile, Muslim minorities in places like China's Xinjiang region are prohibited from respecting Ramadan.
29 days (or 30?)29 days (or 30?)
The duration of Ramadan changes from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar. This year (1434, since the Islamic calendar starts 622 years after the Gregorian one) there is again disagreement because the new moon has to be sighted with the naked eye to mark the start of the holiday.The duration of Ramadan changes from year to year because the Islamic calendar is lunar. This year (1434, since the Islamic calendar starts 622 years after the Gregorian one) there is again disagreement because the new moon has to be sighted with the naked eye to mark the start of the holiday.
Egypt, as well as countries in the Arab Gulf began fasting on Wednesday while Muslims in Morocco had already started on Tuesday. In France, mosques have been divided about when they should begin, causing confusion for many of the country's five million Muslims.Egypt, as well as countries in the Arab Gulf began fasting on Wednesday while Muslims in Morocco had already started on Tuesday. In France, mosques have been divided about when they should begin, causing confusion for many of the country's five million Muslims.
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