Ramadan: Muslim holy month in pictures

Muslims all over the world are celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with religious services, charity, fasting and evening festivities

  • A Palestinian child plays with a sparkler in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip
  • Young Koran students in Hyderabad, India, sit bent over the Koran and study
    Focus on the 5 pillars of Islam: it is Ramadan for millions of Muslims around the world. For a month, they abstain from food and drink from dawn to dusk. Fasting is intended to focus the mind and bring worshippers closer to God. Here in Hyderabad, the fourth largest city in India, young students learn more about the five pillars of Islam (image: NOAH SEELAM/AFP)
  • A Muslim in Jakarta watches the position of the crescent moon over Indonesia from the roof of the Al-Musyari'in mosque
    Watching for the crescent moon: the start of Ramadan can vary from country to country because it begins with the sighting of the crescent moon in the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar. Different countries see the crescent moon at different times, depending on where on the globe they are located. In Indonesia, teams observe the sky with binoculars to determine when to announce the start of the holy month there (image: REUTERS/Willy Kurniawan)
  • Children in Deir al-Balah in the Gaza Strip play carefree with soap bubbles
    Ramadan in a war zone: this year, Ramadan is overshadowed by the conflict in Gaza. It had been hoped that a ceasefire could be negotiated before the holiday began, but attempts to come to an agreement have faltered, leaving locals in Gaza – like these children in Deir Al-Balah – trapped in a worsening humanitarian situation (image: Omar Qattaa / Anadolu)
  • A Palestinian child plays with a sparkler in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip
    Light amid the rubble: over a million people are seeking shelter from the Israeli military campaign in Rafah, in Gaza. The United Nations has said there is a danger of starvation and, citing the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, reported that 25 people have died from malnutrition and dehydration there, mostly children. Religious authorities have said people in Gaza do not need to fast if they feel weak (image: SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)
  • Long tables are set up on the streets of New Delhi, the mega-city in northern India, where Muslims eat together during Ramadan
    Breaking the fast after sunset: there are around 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide, most of them in India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Bangladesh. After fasting ends during Ramadan, families, friends and neighbours gather for "iftar", a meal after sunset. In Delhi, India, long tables are set up on the streets so people can eat together (image: REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis)
  • A group of Indonesian women in Tangerang follow the local tradition of washing themselves in the Cisadane River before Ramadan
    Washing of the soul: a group of Indonesian women in Tangerang, on the outskirts of Jakarta, follow the local tradition of washing themselves in the Cisadane River before Ramadan. Water is meant to cleanse their souls before they start fasting. Almost 90% of the population in Indonesia is Muslim and Ramadan is celebrated with colourful torchlight parades and elaborate meals after sunset (image: AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)
  • Brightly lit and adorned with religious lettering, the Blue Mosque in Istanbul stands in the twilight
    Paying for Ramadan can be difficult: in Turkey, food prices have risen. According to official figures, inflation was over 70% in February. This is why some families are worried they won't be able to afford to provide the traditionally lavish "iftar" meals (image: REUTERS/Murad Sezer)
  • A devout Senegalese man sits in silence on the eve of Ramadan, in an almost deserted mosque
    A time of tranquillity: the imposing Massalikul Jinaan mosque in Dakar, Senegal, is one of the largest in West Africa. This year in Senegal, Ramadan falls in the middle of the campaign for the postponed presidential election. The tranquillity that can be found in this house of prayer is a welcome change for some (image: JOHN WESSELS/AFP)
  • Muslims living in New York began the month of fasting with a Tarawih prayer in Times Square
    Prayers in Times Square: dozens of Muslims gathered in New York's Times Square at the start of Ramadan there on 10 March. Together, they prayed the "tarawih", an extra-long prayer held during Ramadan.
  • A young Pakistani in Peshawar tries on the traditional cap
    New clothes for the holidays: this young Pakistani in Peshawar is trying on a traditional head covering to wear during prayer. Because of the additional socialising that occurs around Ramadan, during prayer and "iftar", many people like to buy new clothes during the month (image: AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad)