For residents of the iconic Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building, observing the fast comes with a unique challenge – they must wait longer to break their fast compared to those on the ground floor. During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe fasting from dawn till sunset as a way of purifying the mind, body, and soul. It is a time of self-reflection, prayer, and community bonding.
With a height of 828 meters (2,722 feet) and 160 habitable floors, the Burj Khalifa is an engineering marvel that has become a symbol of Dubai’s modernity and ambition. Its sheer height, however, presents an interesting predicament for residents during the month of Ramadan. As the sun sets, marking the end of the fasting day, those living on the upper floors of the Burj Khalifa must wait longer to break their fast compared to their neighbors on the ground floor.
The reason behind this discrepancy lies in the phenomenon of sunset timing at different elevations. The higher one is situated, the longer it takes for the sun to set due to the curvature of the Earth. This means that residents on the top floors of the Burj Khalifa, which is located in the heart of Dubai’s bustling Downtown area, experience sunset later than those on the lower floors or on the ground.
As per the guidance of Mohammed al-Qubaisi, the prominent cleric of Dubai, residents residing above the 80th floor of Burj Khalifa are advised to wait an extra two minutes before breaking their fast during the holy month of Ramadan. However, for those living above the 150th floor, the recommended wait time is extended to three minutes, owing to their unique vantage point that allows them to see the sun for a longer duration compared to those on the ground level.
This is a unique challenge faced by the residents of Burj Khalifa, who must exercise patience and precision in observing their fast during this holy month.
The Burj Khalifa is home to many families, professionals, and expatriates from around the world. Residents on the higher floors, who are predominantly expatriates, have found creative ways to cope with the additional wait time for breaking their fast. Some choose to rely on their smartphones, which provide accurate sunset timings based on their location, while others prefer to follow the official announcement made by Dubai’s Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department, which determines the daily prayer and fasting timings for the city.
In addition to the unique challenge of timing, the Burj Khalifa also poses logistical challenges for residents during Ramadan. The building has a total of 57 elevators, which are known for their speed and efficiency, but during the iftar (the evening meal to break the fast) rush hour, the elevators can get congested as residents and visitors alike hurry to get to the ground floor to partake in the iftar festivities. This can result in longer waiting times and increased congestion in the elevators and common areas of the building.
Despite these challenges, residents of the Burj Khalifa also acknowledge the unique privilege of observing the fast from the world’s tallest building. The panoramic views of the city and the surrounding desert during sunset provide a breathtaking backdrop for their iftar gatherings, and the communal spirit of Ramadan is evident as families and friends come together to share the blessings of the holy month.
The Burj Khalifa management has also taken steps to accommodate the unique needs of its residents during Ramadan. The building’s management works closely with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department to ensure accurate timing for prayer and fasting, and special arrangements are made to provide iftar meals for residents and visitors in the building’s communal areas.
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The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is not the only tall building in the world where residents face such challenges during Ramadan. Other tall structures, such as the Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia and the Shanghai Tower in China, also present similar predicaments for residents.
