Ramzan 2019: Muslims around the world begin fasting on occasion of holy month, slated to end on 4 June

[caption id=“attachment_6617051” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Muslims around the world began observation of the holy festival Ramzan, in the first week of May. Muslims follow a lunar calendar, and a moon-sighting methodology can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617061” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] At sunset, when it’s time to mark the end of the daylong fast, families and friends gather for an evening meal known as “iftar.” Muslims typically break their fast as the Prophet Muhammad did some 1,400 years ago, by eating sweet dates and drinking water, followed by a sunset prayer. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617071” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Across the world, Muslims fast each day for the entire month of Ramzan, abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk. That means around 15 hours without food, water, cigarettes or caffeine. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617031” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Fasting is aimed at drawing worshippers closer to God through self-control, remembrance and humility. The challenge of fasting for many is also a chance to reset spiritually and physically, kick bad habits and purify the heart. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617041” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] The Ramzan fast begins with a pre-dawn meal called “suhoor” to prepare hungry stomachs for the long day ahead. A typical suhoor often includes bread, vegetables, fruits, yogurt, tea, as well as lentils and beans. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617021” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] Those exempt from fasting include children, the elderly, the sick, women who are pregnant, nursing or menstruating, and people travelling. Reuters[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_6617011” align=“alignnone” width=“940”] While Muslims around the world welcomed the start of Ramadan with traditional greetings and messages of peace, the start of the Muslim holy month in the Gaza Strip was marked by sounds of outgoing Palestinian rockets and incoming Israeli airstrikes. Reuters[/caption]