Dubai - Ramadan begins in UAE today.
Published: Mon 6 May 2019, 11:42 AM
Updated: Tue 7 May 2019, 8:46 AM
The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department of the Government of Dubai has called on all residents of Burj Khalifa and other tall towers to mind the time difference depending on the floor they are living on.
Also read: Ramadan begins in UAE today (May 6)
It has become a popular fact in recent years that residents at Dubai's skyscrapers have to fast slightly longer than others, up to 6 minutes more before breaking their fast.
The department issued a circular saying that residents who stay between 60th and 120th floor will fast for four minutes more than others in Dubai.
The time difference at such heights will result in dawn prayers being held 2 minutes earlier than the rest of Dubai, and will delay sunset and evening prayers by another 2 minutes.
The 'anomaly' is so famous that renowned astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson, even tweeted about it on on Sunday as the first day of Ramadan was announced around the world:
Moreover, the department added that people who live on 121st floor and higher, will have to fast 6 minutes more, as the dawn prayer will be 3 minutes earlier, and sunset and evening prayers will be 3 minutes later than normal timings on the ground below.