On the eighth day of the holy month of Ramadan, Wednesday, 1445 AH, Muslims in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continue to observe the fast, one of the five pillars of Islam. The times for beginning and ending the fast are of paramount importance in organizing the day of the fasting person, as they mark the beginning and end of the period of abstaining from food and drink.
The importance of setting fasting times in Ramadan
The start of the fast (Imsak) is determined by the Fajr (dawn) prayer call, while the end of the fast (Iftar) is determined by the Maghrib (sunset) prayer call. These times are based on precise astronomical calculations related to the sun's movement and position in each city, ensuring that those fasting adhere to the correct Islamic timings. In Saudi Arabia, the National Center of Meteorology, along with other official bodies, is responsible for issuing and disseminating these times to citizens and residents to guarantee accuracy and consistency.
The spiritual and social dimensions of the month of Ramadan
Ramadan is not just about fasting; it is a month of worship and drawing closer to God through prayer, reciting the Quran, and performing good deeds. It also presents an opportunity to strengthen social bonds, as families and friends gather for iftar meals, and a spiritual atmosphere pervades the Kingdom, reflecting the profound value of this month in the hearts of Muslims.
Imsak and Iftar times for Wednesday, the 8th of Ramadan
The National Center for Meteorology announced the fasting and breaking-fast times for Wednesday in a number of major cities and regions in the Kingdom, as follows:
- Riyadh: Imsak 5:01 AM – Iftar 5:54 PM
- Mecca: Imsak 5:28 AM – Iftar 6:24 PM
- Madinah: Imsak 5:30 AM – Iftar 6:22 PM
- Jeddah: Imsak 5:31 AM – Iftar 6:26 PM
- Dammam: Imsak 4:48 AM – Iftar 5:39 PM
- Abha: Imsak 5:17 AM – Iftar 6:15 PM
- Tabuk: Imsak 5:42 AM – Iftar 6:32 PM
- Buraidah: Imsak 5:12 AM – Iftar 6:04 PM
- Hail: Imsak 5:21 AM – Iftar 6:12 PM
- Al-Baha: Imsak 5:21 AM – Iftar 6:18 PM
- Arar: Imsak 5:24 AM – Iftar 6:12 PM
- Sakaka: Imsak 5:27 AM – Iftar 6:16 PM
- Jazan: Imsak 5:16 AM – Iftar 6:16 PM
- Najran: Imsak 5:10 AM – Iftar 6:09 PM
Those fasting are advised to follow the daily updates of prayer times from official sources to ensure the accuracy of their information, especially with the slight time differences between different cities within the Kingdom.
