In Edmonton, Alberta, Canada the fasting time is very long, about 18 hours and 50 minutes. What is the fatwa for the following people:
a) Girls 10 -12 years old. Should they keep these long fasts?
b) Old people who find it difficult to keep long fasts. Can they open their fasts earlier, say after 15 or 16 hours?
a. Yes, they should keep their fast. If unable due to extreme hardships or harm then they may break their fast by drinking or eating in as much as will remove the hardship. However, they must make-up the fast. If this is a daily issue then one must try to move to another location of residence where one can fast the month.
b. No, it is not permissible to do so, unless per the above answer to (a).