Gaza City, Gaza Strip:
Hundreds of millions of Muslims across the Middle East are sweating their way through the start of Ramadan, beginning a month-long daylight fast in sweltering summer heat.
With temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) in some countries, governments and religious authorities have sought to lighten the holy month's burden by shortening work days, granting exemptions from the fast and even setting the clock back an hour.
Frequent power outages in places like Egypt, Iraq and the Gaza Strip compounded the struggle to give up food, drink and cigarettes during the searing 15-hour day.
But most -- even those forced by work to be in the heat -- said faith would get them through.
On the lunar calendar, Ramadan begins around 11 days earlier each year, which now puts it in the long, hot days of summer.
With temperatures over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 Celsius) in some countries, governments and religious authorities have sought to lighten the holy month's burden by shortening work days, granting exemptions from the fast and even setting the clock back an hour.
Frequent power outages in places like Egypt, Iraq and the Gaza Strip compounded the struggle to give up food, drink and cigarettes during the searing 15-hour day.
But most -- even those forced by work to be in the heat -- said faith would get them through.
On the lunar calendar, Ramadan begins around 11 days earlier each year, which now puts it in the long, hot days of summer.
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