With iftaar time considerably earlier this year, the Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) has called on masajid in the Western Cape to delay their Taraweeh prayer. For the past few years, Ramadan has been observed in winter in the southern hemisphere, which means shorter days for fasting Muslims. Muslims in Cape Town will break their fast at 5.44pm on day one, with Maghrib expected to be later at 5.51pm on the last day.

“We have requested that respected ulema, mashaiqs and imams to take into consideration the travel time of our community from work to home and where necessary to delay the athaan for Esha to 10 to 30 mins after the actually waqt of Salaahtul Esha,” said MJC deputy president Maulana Abdul Khaliq Allie.

Cape Town’s traffic volumes and the use of public transport during the peak hour is also a concern for ulema.  Allie said the time allowance will assist many Muslims who are still on the road at iftaar time and who will have to rush to prepare for Maghrib salah and Taraweeh.

“We would like all our Muslims to attend gain the maximum benefit of the month of Ramadan, inshaAllah. Many Muslims look forward to taraweeh prayers and we want to give everyone the opportunity to be present. We ask our Allah (Swt) to grant our imams the understanding, inshaAllah.” VOC