Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began earlier this week, with the observation of the Hilal, or new moon. The fast, one of the five pillars of Islam, is seen as a time for spiritual reflection, prayers, and charity. After sunset, Muslims traditionally break the fast by eating dates, performing the Maghrib prayer, and sitting down to Iftar, the main evening meal, where communities and families gather together. Gathered here are images of Muslims around the world observing Ramadan this year, including areas of recent turmoil, like Egypt and Turkey. [Modified intro from here].
Muslims scan the horizon for the crescent moon that will determine the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 8, 2013.
Egyptians shop in a market on the eve of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims where many will fast from sun-up to sun-down, on July 9, 2013 in Cairo, Egypt.
A Palestinian man reads verses from the Quran, Islam's holy book, at al-Omari mosque on the first day of Ramadan, on July 10, 2013 in Gaza City.
An Afghan worker carries sweets at a traditional factory ahead of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 9, 2013.
A Pakistani Muslim performs ablutions before evening prayer at historical Wazir Khan mosque in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 10, 2013.
A Palestinian boy looks at a traditional Ramadan lantern in a street market in Gaza City, on July 6, 2013.
Anti-government protesters eat as they break their fast on the first day Ramadan as police officers take position at Taksim Square in Istanbul, on July 9, 2013. Turkish police allowed thousands of protesters who have been trying to block the redevelopment of a park in Istanbul to break their Ramadan fast on Tuesday before resuming efforts to get them to leave the area.
Workers clean the floor of the Badshahi Mosque ahead of the holy month of Ramadan in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 9, 2013.
Students perform an afternoon prayer on the first day of Ramadan, at Ar-Raudlatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on July 10, 2013.
Indonesian Muslim women hold prayers on the first night of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, on July 9, 2013.
Students perform an afternoon prayer on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Ar-Raudlatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on July 10, 2013.
Muslims pray in the first Tarawih to mark the start of the month of Ramadan in Cheng Ho Mosque on July 9, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
A child walks near members of the Muslim community attending midday prayers at Strasbourg Grand Mosque in Strasbourg, Ferance on the first day of Ramadan, July 9, 2013.
A child leans down near members of the Muslim community attending midday prayers at Strasbourg Grand Mosque in Strasbourg, Ferance on the first day of Ramadan, July 9, 2013.
Mosque workers prepare food for distribution to the poor and Muslims who come to break their fast at Noor Mosque in Nairobi, Kenya, on July 10, 2013.
A pastry chef holds a tray of Arabic sweets at his bakery in Gaza City on the eve of the start of Ramadan, on July 9, 2013.
An Indonesian Muslim man reads the Quran at a mosque on July 9, 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Muslims attend an evening communal prayer session called "Tarawih" to mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Bajrakli mosque in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 9, 2013.
A Palestinian arranges qatayef, a dessert traditionally eaten during Ramadan, for sale on the first day of Ramadan in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on July 10, 2013.
Muslims attend an evening communal prayer session called "Tarawih" to mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Bajrakli mosque in Belgrade, Serbia, on July 9, 2013.
Indonesian Muslim women hold prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, on July 9, 2013.
An Indian Muslim prays on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan at an old Mughal era mosque in New Delhi, India
Indian Muslim men perform ablution before offering prayers on the first Friday of the holy month of Ramadan at an old Mughal era mosque in New Delhi, India,
Muslims leave a mosque after Friday prayers as the sky is covered by haze during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,
An Indonesian man reads Quran as he waits for the time to break his fast at a mosque in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia,
Pakistani Muslim women offer Friday prayers during Ramadan in Lahore, Pakistan,
Muslims perform Azhr prayer on the second day of Ramadan at Al Akbar Mosque on July 11, 2013 in Surabaya, Indonesia.
Indian Muslims, soaked from monsoon rains, pray on the streets outside a mosque
Indian Muslims offer prayers during the first Friday of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan
Indian Muslims offer Friday prayers during the holy month of Ramadan on the road in Kolkata on July 12, 2013.
A supporter of ousted president Mohamed Morsi participates in Friday prayer on the third day of Ramadan,
CAIRO, EGYPT - JULY 12: Supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi participate in Friday prayer on the third day of Ramadan
Indian Muslims end the day's fast in the rain during Ramadan at the 600 year old Shahi Jama Mosque in Ahmedabad on July 12, 2013.
Indian Muslim men gather to sight the crescent moon in the compound of Jamia Masjid or Grand Mosque in New Delhi, India, on July 10. The new moon heralds the start of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, a time of fasting, prayer and charitable giving for Muslims worldwide.
Indonesian Muslims prepare to sight the new moon from the rooftop of the Al-Hidayah Basmol mosque in Jakarta on July 8 in preparation for the beginning of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
A Nepalese Muslim boy offers Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Kathmandu on July 12.
Muslims offer first Friday prayers during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in the northern Indian city of Allahabad on July 12.
A Pakistani Muslim boy reads the Koran during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Peshswar, Pakistan, 16 July 16.
Students read the Koran on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Ar-Raudlatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on July 10.
A Pakistani woman receives milk, sweetened with fruit juice, for Iftar to break the fast during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on July 15.
Foreign Muslim workers break their fast with a free Iftar dinner during the holy month of Ramadan in Dubai, on July 15.
A Palestinian Muslim worshipper sneaks through a hole in the Old City wall near the Lions Gate after prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem's Old City, Israel, on July 12.
A young Muslim boy helps his friend to put on a turban at a mosque in Ampang, suburbs of Kuala Lumpur on July 11.
Students sit in circles during a Quran recital class on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Ar-Raudlatul Hasanah Islamic boarding school in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, on July 10.
A Free Syrian Army fighter washes himself before the time for iftar, or breaking fast, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Aleppo's Karm al-Jabal district on July 15.
Umm Atheer sits near her son, Atheer Ali, 5, who was burned in a car bomb attack in Kut, 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Baghdad, Iraq, on July 15. The car bomb exploded among shops and take-away restaurants in central Kut shortly before the breaking of the Ramadan fast on Sunday.
An Egyptian army soldier reads Islam's holy book, the Koran as he sits on his armored personnel carrier, near the presidential palace in Cairo, Egypt, on the second day of Ramadan, July 11. Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood vowed Thursday not to back down in its push to restore ousted Islamist leader Mohammed Morsi to power but insisted its resistance is peaceful in an effort to distance itself from more than a week of clashes with security forces.
A Palestinian man prays in a mosque during the holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, on July 12.
Members of the family of Palestinian Abu Jaber gather between graves of the Almaamadani Muslim cemetery adjacent to their family's place of living, for breaking fast during the month of Ramadan in Azkola, central Gaza Strip, on July 15. Abu Jaber's family, two men, two women and five children, lives at the cemetery in difficult and poor conditions. Jaber says he lives in this place because he can not afford a healthy housing for himself and his family with just a small daily income from random jobs. He and his children are not employed and are depending on the assistance of Civil Affairs department of the government of Gaza.
Supporters of ousted Egypt's President Mohammed Morsi, pray after breaking their fast, during the Islamic month of Ramadan, in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, on July 11.
A Muslim women wears a purple uniform as she performs the night prayer known as Tarawikh as millions of Muslims observe the holiday of Ramadan on July 16 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A supporter of ousted president Mohammed Morsi prays before breaking the daily Ramadan fast on the second day of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims where many will fast from sun-up to sun-down on July 11 in Cairo, Egypt. Egypt continues to be in a state of political paralysis following the ousting of former President and Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohammed Morsi by the military.
A worker drains soybeans after they have been boiled at a small tempeh factory on July 12 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Tempeh is an Indonesian staple made from fermented soybeans. The Indonesian government has said that it will increase food imports during the Ramadan fasting month to reduce inflation caused by increased food consumption during the month leading up to and during the Eid Al Fitr holiday marking the end of the fasting month.
An Israeli border policeman, right, stands by as a Palestinian man prepares decorations at the entrance of the Al-Aqsa mosque ahead of the Muslim holiday of Ramadan, in Jerusalem's Old City, Israel, on July 8.
An Acehnese man reads a book while waiting for the time to break his fast between the pillars of a mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, on July 10.
An Indian worker makes vermicelli inside a cottage factory in Lucknow, India, on July 16. Vermicelli is in great demand among Muslims when they break their day long fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
At the base for Mohammed Morsi supporters, a boy waits in line to receive food in order to break the days fast on the first day of Ramadan, the sacred holy month for Muslims where many will fast from sun-up to sun-down on July 10 in Cairo, Egypt.
Students from an Islamic boarding school pray during the Koran recitation "Tadarus" during Ramadan in a mosque in Medan of Indonesia's North Sumatra province in this on July 11.
An Afghan man prays after breaking his fast on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 10.
An Indian worker prepares vermicelli, used to make a traditional sweet dish popular during the fasting month of Ramadan
A boy stands near a traditional lantern, marking the Islamic month of Ramadan, with a poster of Egypt's ousted President Mohammed Morsi in a park in front of Cairo University
Kashmiri Muslim children attend recitation classes of the Quran at a local Madrasa or Muslim religious school, during Ramadan in Srinagar, India
A Muslim child raises his hand in prayer at Noor Mosque in Nairobi, Kenya
Indian Muslims perform ablution
Palestinians walk towards an Israeli checkpoint on their way to pray at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem
An Indian Muslim watches as his son performs ablution
Palestinian worshippers pray outside al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem on July 26.
Muslim men pray July 25 at a mosque in Surabaya, Indonesia.
A Kashmiri Muslim nomad drinks tea as her family breaks their fast at a temporary base camp on the outskirts of Srinagar, India, on July 25.
A Kashmiri Muslim man reads verses from the Quran in a mosque in Srinagar, India, on July 25.
A mosque worker prepares meals for the poor and those coming to break their fast at the mosque on July 25 in Nairobi, Kenya.
A Muslim man prays at the Jame Mosque in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Tuesday, July 23.
A Pakistani student of a madrassa, or Islamic school, attends a test in reciting verses of the Quran in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday, July 22.
A man prays after breaking his fast on July 22 inside the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.
Girls leave a religious school in Herat, Afghanistan, on July 22.
Children read the Quran at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Sunday, July 21.
A man reads the Quran at a mosque in Gaza City on July 21.
Muslim men attend prayers in a mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan, on Saturday, July 20.
Muslims offer prayers in New Delhi on July 19.
Men prepare food to break their fast during the month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, Thursday, July 18.
Girls read the Quran during Ramadan in their classroom at Madrasatur-Rashaad religious school in Hyderabad, India, on Wednesday, July 17.
Muslims offer noon prayers on July 17 at the Red Mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan.
A row of children joins the night prayer known as Tarawih on Tuesday, July 16, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
A teacher shows a carving of the Quran at the Islamic Boarding School of Ashriyyah Nurul Iman in Parung, Indonesia, on July 16.
Muslim soldiers from the Kenyan Contingent serving with the African Union Mission in Somalia pray on July 16 inside a military base near the southern Somali port city of Kismayo .
Muslims rest at a mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Sunday, July 14.
Children watch as adults pray at a mosque in New Delhi on July 12, the first Friday of Ramadan.
Muslims break their fast in New Delhi on July 12.
Men are reflected in glass as women pray inside the Jamia Masjid, or Grand Mosque, in Srinagar, India, on July 12.
A young boy walks past elders offering Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid mosque in Hyderabad, India, on July 12.
Volunteers arrange food to break the fast at a local mosque in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday, July 11.
A young Muslim girl arranges food plates before Iftar, the evening meal when Muslims break their fast, at the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi on July 11.
A man distributes bread for a fast-breaking evening meal, or Iftar, at the Eidgah mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Wednesday, July 10.
Turkish people wait to break their fast on July 10 at Eyup in Istanbul.
Stunningly beautiful adhaan from the Dome of the Rock in Masjid ul Aqsa Download (right click and choose "save target/link as").
This is a clear message for mankind in order that they may be warned thereby, and that they may know that He is only One God, and that those of understanding may take heed (14:52)
Indeed Allah knows, and you know not (16: 74, part)
A teacher shows a carving of the Quran at the Islamic Boarding School of Ashriyyah Nurul Iman in Parung, Indonesia, on July 16.
format_quote Originally Posted by Insaanah
Beautiful calligraphy of Surah Yaseen. What care and talent it's been done with, and how long it must have taken.
Other collection of Islamic Boarding School of Ashriyyah Nurul Iman.
Qur'an that written on metal plates. There are 306 pages with total weight more than 1,200 kilograms and become the heaviest Qur'an in the world.
Made by the founder of Ashriyyah Nurul Iman, Habib Saggaf bin Mahdi with eight other huffaz. They spent 5 years since 1985 until 1990, and always in state of fasting and wudoo when they wrote it. Habib Saggaf himself need 40 days to check its accuracy.
Giant Qur'an that written on paper made from banana tree skin. It's more a century old. A gift from "Bangsa Moro" (Moro people) from southern Philippine.
Despite heavy rain, Muslims in Jakarta come to Masjid Istiqlal to perform Salah Taraweeh in the first night of Ramadan. July 9, 2013 (( MI/ROMMY PUJIANTO/zn)
Protected by an umbrella, a mother and her children arrive in Masjid Istiqlal to perform Salah Taraweeh. July 9, 2013 ( MI/ROMMY PUJIANTO/wt)
Muslims perform Salah Taraweeh in Masjid Istiqlal, Jakarta, in the first night of Ramadan. July 9, 2013 ( MI/ROMMY PUJIANTO/zn)
A little girl. Masjid Istiqlal, Jakarta. July 9, 2013 (Metrotvnews)
Muslims perform Salah Taraweeh in Masjid Al-Markaz al-Islami, Makassar, in the first night of Ramadhan, July 9, 2013 (ANTARA/Yusran Uccang//zn)
Muslims from Muhammadiyah perform Salah Taraweeh in an elementary school in Kademangan, Tangerang. July 8, 2013. Different than majority of Indonesian people, Muhammadiyah decided to start fasting at July 9, 2013 and performed first taraweeh in July 8, 2013. (MI/ANGGA YUNIAR/am)
Muslim people are ready to perform Salah Taraweeh in Masjid Lautze-2, Bandung. July 9, 2013. Masjid Lautze-2 is a "mini mosque" that established and managed by Indonesian Muslims from Chinese ethnic in Bandung. (TEMPO/Prima Mulia)
Due to the mosque size, some Jamaah perform Salah Taraweeh on the sidewalk. Masjid Lautze-2, Bandung. July 9, 2013 (TEMPO/Prima Mulia)
Muslim women from Muhammadiyah peform first Taraweeh in old and historical mosque, Masjid Gede Kauman, Yogyakarta. July 8, 2013 (ANTARA FOTO/Sigid Kurniawan)
First Taraweeh in old and historical mosque, Masjid Menara Kudus, Central Java. July 9, 2013 (ANTARA FOTO/ Andreas Fitri Atmoko)
First Taraweeh in Masjid Jakarta Islamic Center, Jakarta. July 9, 2013 (ANTARA FOTO/M Agung Rajasa)
Residents of an apartment in Jakarta perform Salah Taraweeh in motorcycle parking area in the apartment basement. The mosque in this apartment is too small to accommodate all jamaah. July 9, 2013 (VIVAnews/Fernando Randy)
First Taraweeh in Masjid Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh. July 9, 2013 (TEMPO/Adi Warsidi)
Old woman and a little girl. Masjid Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh. July 9, 2013 (TEMPO/Adi Warsidi)
Refugees of earthquake disaster perform Taraweeh in refugee camp in Kuta Glime, Central Aceh. July 9, 2013. Earthquake that happened on July 2, 2013 killed 42 people (ANTARA/Rahmad)
A refugee of Aceh earthquake disaster recite Qur'an in refugee camp Kuta Gelime, Central Aceh. July 16, 2013 (ANTARA FOTO/Rahmad)
A volunteer distribute free iftar meals for earthquake victims in Central Aceh. (Liputan6.com)
Grilled fish vendor in Peunayong marketplace, Banda Aceh. July 18, 2013. Grilled fishes that provided by seasonal vendors like this are available in Aceh only in Ramadan. (ANTARA FOTO/Ampelsa)
A vendor prepare sugar canes that would be squeezed as fresh drink for iftar in T.Nyak Makam street, Banda Aceh. July 10, 2013 (SERAMBI/M ANSHAR)
Two mosque caretakers cook "kanji rumbi" porridge in Masjid Al-Furqan Beurawe, Banda Aceh. July 12, 2013. Kanji Rumbi is typical Acehnese iftar meal. (TEMPO/Adi Warsidi)
Kanji Rumbi porridge that prepared for iftar in Masjid Baiturrahman, Banda Aceh. July 12, 2013 (ANTARA/Irwansyah Putra)
Islamic Center at Lhokseumawe in the early of Ramadan 2013 (WartaAceh.com/Fachrul Reza)
Ramadhan Activity in Masjid Java at Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand. July 19, 2013. Masjid Jawa is a mosque that built by Javanese people (Indonesia) in 1908 (ANTARA/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/zn)
Performing salah in Masjid Jawa at Sathorn, Bangkok, Thailand. July 19, 2013 (ANTARA/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/zn)
Iftar in Masjid Darul Aman, Pecthburi soi 7, Bangkok, Thailand. July 10, 2013 ((ANTARA FOTO/Hendra Nurdiyansyah)
Iftar in Masjid Darul Aman, Pecthburi soi 7, Bangkok, Thailand. July 10, 2013 ((ANTARA FOTO/Hendra Nurdiyansyah)
"Southern Thai Food Fest" in Asiatique, Bangkok, Thailand. July 21, 2013. The food festival that held to enliven Ramadan provide foods from Southern Thailand area where mostly of people there are Muslims. ( ANTARA/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/zn)
Buying foods in "Southern Thai Food Fest". July 21, 2013 (ANTARA/Hendra Nurdiyansyah/zn)
Itikaf activities in Masjid Habiburrahman, Indonesian Aerospace complex, Bandung. Indonesia. Pictures were taken after midnight in early of July 31, 2013. (Photos: Kahiruddin Safri www.islamedia.web.id)
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