Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, began earlier this month with the sighting of the new moon. 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.
Above: Muslims offer Friday prayers at Mohammed Al-Amin Mosque in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, on Friday, Aug. 5, 2011. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
See more excellent photos at In Focus
