Over a billion Muslims around the world started fasting for Ramadan, starting from June 6.
The start of Ramadan changes every year, based on the sighting of the new moon at the start of the lunar month.
The calculation can be a show of regional clout, with senior clerics across the conflicted Mideast and the two main sects of Islam often disagreeing.
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Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
It is believed that the central text of Islam, the Quran, was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad during Ramadan, which begins and ends according to the moon, meaning Ramadan moves 10 or 11 days forward each year.
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The faithful spend the month of Ramadan in mosques for evening prayers known as "taraweeh", while free time during the day is often spent reading the Quran and listening to religious lectures.
Each day for the month of Ramadan, Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset to focus on spirituality, good deeds and charity.
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There are exceptions to fasting for children, the elderly, the sick, women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating and people travelling.
Many break their fast as the Prophet Muhammad did around 1,400 years ago, with a sip of water and some dates at sunset followed by prayer.
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(AP Photo)
Click next to see some images of Ramadan from around the world from this year and past years.
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