In Photos: Muslims Celebrate Ramadan Around Globe

This week marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims around the world. The Islamic calendar is currently in year 1445. The tradition of Ramadan began in the seventh century and commemorates the month when the Prophet Mohammed retreated to a cave north of Mecca for spiritual contemplation.

During Ramadan, Muslims observe certain practices such as praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts between sunrise and sunset.

 It is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the first verse of the Quran was revealed during its last 10 nights.

 The Quran describes this singular evening of worship as "better than a thousand months." Muslims believe that it marks the day when the angel Gabriel began giving revelations from God to the Prophet Mohammed.

Members of the Muslim community gathered for the first Taraweeh prayer of Ramadan in Times Square, New York City, on March 10th.

Muslims were seen gesturing as they awaited the sighting of the crescent moon, which marks the start of the holy month of Ramadan, in Cape Town, South Africa.

On Monday, March 11th, 2024, Indonesian Muslims attended an evening prayer called ‘tarawih’ to mark the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia.

A message with the words “Ramadan is the month of Quran” was installed between the minarets of the Suleymaniye mosque in Istanbul, Turkey, ahead of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on Sunday, March 10th, 2024.