DUBAI, Jul 5 (Yahoo News): Muslims will fast for the longest duration during this Ramadan, after 26 years, local daily Gulf News reported on Tuesday citing a calendar expert.

"The first day of Ramadan will be the longest day as Muslims will have to fast for 14 hours and 50 minutes," the paper quoted Ashraf Nourul Haq Ashraf, head of the Calendar Department at Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai as saying.

However, in the last few days of the month, the fasting duration will be reduced to about 14 hours as the day gets shorter, the report added.

According to Ashraf, the first day of Ramadan is expected to be on August 1 and the dawn (Fajr) prayer call will be at 4:26 am, while the dusk (Maghrib) prayer will start at 7:06 pm.

Muslims fasting during Ramadan stop having food 10 minutes before dawn and end their fast at sunset.

Ramadan this year will begin amid scorching temperatures in the country. According to the weather office, the temperature throughout the month will be ranging between 40 and 45 degrees Celsius, the Gulf News report said.