Muslims Around The World Observe Ramadan, Holy Month Of Fasting

Follow along with the international Muslim community as they celebrate Ramadan.

Observant Muslims around the world are celebrating Ramadan, a holy month during which they will fast during the daylight hours. The fast emphasizes personal discipline and focus on spiritual rather than material things. It is also a time of celebration and feasting as communities come together to break the fast in a traditional iftar meal.

Ramadan, which literally means "scorching" in Arabic, is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It was established as a holy month for Muslims after the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE on the occasion known as Laylat al-Qadr, frequently translated as “the Night of Power.”

The closure of Ramadan is marked by the holiday of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place roughly 30 days after the beginning of the month. On Eid ul-Fitr, morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration among family and friends.

See how Muslims around the world are praying, fasting and feasting for Ramadan. We will update this slideshow throughout the month so you can follow along with the international Muslim community as they celebrate Ramadan.

Indonesia
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
JAKARTA, INDONESIA - JUNE 6: An Indonesian Muslim man reads the Quran during the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan at a Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 6, 2016.
Germany
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
BERLIN, GERMANY - JUNE 5: Muslims perform the first "Tarawih" prayer on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Sehitlik Mosque in Berlin, Germany on June 5, 2016.
India
Adnan Abidi / Reuters
Muslim men look towards the sky to spot the crescent moon, on the eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi, India, June 6, 2016.
Indonesia
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
MEDAN, INDONESIA - JUNE 6 : Students from an Islamic boarding school attend a Quran recitation during Ramadan in a mosque in Medan of the Indonesia's North Sumatra province June 6, 2016.
Russia
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JUNE 5: Muslims perform the first "Tarawih" prayer on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Central Mosque in Moscow, Russia on June 5, 2016.
Ethiopia
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA - JUNE 5: Muslims perform the first "Tarawih" prayer on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Anwar Grand Mosque in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on June 5, 2016.
Turkey
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
ANKARA, TURKEY - JUNE 5: Muslims perform the first "Tarawih" prayer on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at Kocatepe Mosque in Ankara, Turkey on June 5, 2016.
Turkey
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
ANKARA, TURKEY - JUNE 6: Turkish shop owner puts sausages in order as he tries to sell them during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at Ulus district of Ankara, Turkey on June 6, 2016.
Lebanon
Omar Ibrahim / Reuters
A vendor fills a bag with pickled produce on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Tripoli, Lebanon June 6, 2016.
Pakistan
ASIF HASSAN via Getty Images
Pakistani Muslims perform a special "Tarawih" evening prayer on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan at a mosque in Karachi on June 6, 2016.
Jerusalem
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
JERUSALEM -JUNE 5: Muslims perform the first "Tarawih" prayer on the eve of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan at the Al-Aqsa mosque's yard in Jerusalem on June 5, 2016.
Saudi Arabia
XXSTRINGERXX xxxxx / Reuters
Muslims break their fast at the Grand Mosque during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, June 6, 2016.
Malaysia
Mohd Samsul Mohd Said via Getty Images
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - JUNE 6: Muslims buy food before they break their fast on the first day of Ramadan, at Masjid Jamek on June 6, 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yemen
ASSOCIATED PRESS
An elderly man reads verses of the Quran, Islam's holy book, on the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan in the Grand Mosque in the old city of Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, June 6, 2016.
Afghanistan
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Afghans break their fast during the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, June 6, 2016.

Before You Go

It's a time of spiritual reflection, not just fasting.

Things You Probably Didn't Know About Ramadan

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot