Muscat: Reports that an Omani village has the shortest Ramadan fasting days in the world are untrue, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Major media outlets, including Al Arabiya, Huffington Post Arabic and Ajel, a Saudi daily, reported that Wekan village, a very remote village in Nakhal province and 150 km from the capital Muscat, has only three fasting hours every day. Reports said the sun rises at 11am and sets at 2.30pm.
Salim Al Hadrami, a resident of Wekan village, told Gulf News that such news is baseless, stressing that they fast like other provinces in Oman and follow the official timing for Iftar, Sahoor and prayers.
Wekan village is a tourist hotspot in the country thanks to its usually moderate temperature. It is located 2,000 meters above sea level and can be accessed only by donkeys and SUV vehicles.
The ancient village is also famous for its terraced farms, where fruits like grapes, pomegranates and apricots are grown.
