Ramadan, the holy month in the Islamic calendar, began during the weekend. During this month, an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims in the world will engage in prayers and will fast from dawn to dusk.
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and is considered a sacred period as the holy book of Quran was unveiled through Prophet Muhammad in this month.
In most of the Arab countries - including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain - and in many Western countries, the sacred period began on Sunday, while in India it began on Monday.
Check out some powerful photos of Ramadan here:
Men attend "tarawih", the evening mass prayer session during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, along a road in Hay Assalam in Sale July 2, 2014.REUTERS
A man reads the Koran in a mosque in Sanaa ahead of RamadanREUTERS
A boy attends a Friday prayer outside a worship hall of the Niujie Mosque in Beijing, ahead of the holy fasting month of RamadanReuters
Muslims pray around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in the holy city of Mecca June 29, 2014.REUTERS
A boy drinks rose syrup as he breaks his fast with others, on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at a mosque in Peshawar June 29, 2014REUTERS
Girls read the Koran in a madrasa, or religious school, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Kabul June 30, 2014.REUTERS
Children sit next to food placed for Muslims before the Iftar (breaking of fast) meal, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan in India, at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi July 1, 2014.REUTERS
A Muslim boy sits on a plinth before the Iftar (breaking of fast) meal, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi July 1, 2014.REUTERS
A boy sits beside cups of rose-flavoured milk placed for locals to break their fast, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, in a park in Lahore July 1, 2014.REUTERS
A man offers evening prayers on a makeshift stall, after breaking his fast with others, during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, along a street in Karachi July 3, 2014.REUTERS
Muslims sit before having their Iftar (breaking of fast) meal during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi July 1, 2014.REUTERS
People prepare to break their fast on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan as police officers stand guard at near Taksim Square in Istanbul June 28, 2014.REUTERS
