Ramadan, the Islamic month
of fasting, will come to a close this weekend with the observation of a
festival called Eid al-Fitr. Throughout this ninth month on the Islamic
calendar, devout Muslims must abstain from food, drink, and sex from dawn until
sunset. 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 three 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.
