Muslims around the world began their month-long observance of Ramadan at sundown on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The holy month is done with prayer and fasting from dawn to dusk to honor Allah. Practitioners pray, fast, reflect and abstain from smoking and sex to bring them closer to God until the final night on April 22. The dates usually vary by a few days depending on the moon and a country’s location.
Peshawar, Pakistan
Muslim devotees pray before breaking their fast on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in Peshawar on March 23, 2023. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP) (Photo by ABDUL MAJEED/AFP via Getty Images)
Srinagar, India
Muslim devotees pray inside the Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani shrine on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Srinagar on March 23, 2023. (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA / AFP) (Photo by TAUSEEF MUSTAFA/AFP via Getty Images)
Manila, Philippines
Women pray during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in Taguig City, suburban Manila on March 24, 2023. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP) (Photo by TED ALJIBE/AFP via Getty Images)
Jakarta, Indonesia
Muslims read the Koran during the holy month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Grand Mosque in Jakarta on March 24, 2023. (Photo by BAY ISMOYO / AFP) (Photo by BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images)
Islamabad, Pakistan
A baker fries sweet ‘Jalebi’ Iftar food for Muslim devotees to break their fast on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at a shop in Islamabad on March 23, 2023. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Islamabad, Pakistan
Bakers fry Iftar food for Muslim devotees to break their fast on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at a shop in Islamabad on March 23, 2023. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP) (Photo by AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)
Rafah, Palestine
Palestinian “Musaharatis” bang their drums as they carry out their tour in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on the first night of Ramadan early on March 23, 2023. – Musaharatis are traditional “Ramadan drummers” whose role is to awaken Muslim devotees for the pre-dawn traditional “Suhur” meal before the start of the following day’s fast during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP) (Photo by SAID KHATIB/AFP via Getty Images)
Istanbul, Turkey
People attend the Tarawih prayers inside the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque ahead of the start of the holy month of Ramadan on March 23, 2023 in Istanbul, Turkey. The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims all across Turkey and worldwide. A month of fasting takes place to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad and is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
Mosul, Iraq
Iraqi children carry Ramadan lanterns and gather outside the Al-Nuri Mosque during an event called by the Baytna Foundation for Culture and Arts in the Old City of Mosul, on the eve of the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on March 22, 2023. – The Al-Nuri mosque and the adjacent landmark minaret nicknamed Al-Hadba or the “hunchback”, which dates from the 12th century, were devastated by the Islamic State group’s three-year occupation of the Iraqi city known for its religious and cultural diversity. (Photo by Zaid AL-OBEIDI / AFP) (Photo by ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images)
Solo City, Indonesia
An aerial view of the Sheikh Zayed Solo Grand Mosque as Muslims attend Tarawih prayers to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan on March 22, 2023 in Solo City, Indonesia. Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, marked the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday with Tarawih prayers. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Solo City, Indonesia
Indonesian Muslims perform Tarawih prayers to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan at the Sheikh Zayed Solo Grand Mosque on March 22, 2023 in Solo City, Indonesia. Indonesia, which has the world’s largest Muslim population, marked the beginning of Ramadan on Thursday with Tarawih prayers. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Kahramanmaras, Turkey
People attend the Teravih pray (first mass pray of Ramadan) in a tent mosque on March 22, 2023 in Kahramanmaras, Turkey. Kahramanmaras province was struck by two successive earthquakes in early February, resulting in widespread damage and more than 50,000 deaths between Turkey and neighboring Syria. (Photo by Mehmet Kacmaz/Getty Images)
Solo City, Indonesia
Indonesian Muslims perform Tarawih prayers to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan at the Sheikh Zayed Solo Grand Mosque on March 22, 2023 in Solo City, Indonesia. (Photo by Ulet Ifansasti/Getty Images)
Jerusalem
A merchant hangs festive decorations at his stall amidst preparations ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the Council Gate (Bab al-Majlis) leading to the Aqsa Mosque compound in the old city of Jerusalem on March 21, 2023. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images)
Damascus, Syria
People gather on a rooftop to observe the crescent moon, a day before the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, as part of an event organised by the the Syrian Astronomical Association in Damascus, on March 22, 2023. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP) (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Karachi, Pakistan
Muslim devotees offer Friday prayers at a mosque on the second day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Karachi on March 24, 2023. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)
