Lebanon has delayed its transition to daylight saving time until April 20th, due to the ongoing Muslim holiday of Ramadan. While the government’s decision affects public institutions, private companies, schools, television stations, and the Maronite Church have chosen to ignore it. This has resulted in two time zones in the country, causing confusion for some, such as Haruka Naito, a Japanese worker in Lebanon who had conflicting appointments. Critics argue that the time confusion distracts from the country’s economic and political crisis.
The reason for the confusion is that the Lebanese government announced late last week that the country would postpone the transition to daylight saving time until April 20. The decision was taken in consideration of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, which is still ongoing.
Usually Lebanon, like Sweden and most European countries, moves the clock forward one hour on the last Sunday in March.
However, not everyone has chosen to follow the government’s late change. While public institutions are bound by the decision, private companies, schools, television stations and the country’s largest Christian church, the Maronite Church, have ignored the call, which means that there are now two time zones in the small country.
– I had an appointment to fit at 8 o’clock and a lesson at 9 o’clock, which will now take place at the same time, says the Japanese Haruka Naito, who works at an organization in Lebanon.
Critics believe that the time confusion shifts the focus from the deep economic and political crisis that the country is in.