Ramazan is welcomed by Muslims around the world as a sacred month of fasting, reflection and spiritual renewal, observed by more than 1.9 billion people across different countries.
From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast from food and drink, dedicating the month to prayer, charity and community.
Mosques fill for nightly Taraweeh prayers, families gather for iftar meals at sunset, and acts of generosity increase as believers seek spiritual growth and closeness to Allah.
Beyond the physical fast, Ramazan emphasises patience, self-discipline and compassion for those less fortunate, making it one of the most significant and unifying periods in the Islamic calendar.
Here are some glimpses from different countries, including Pakistan, Occupied Kashmir, Palestine, Sudan, Nigeria, Kosovo, Malaysia and Indonesia, capturing how communities welcomed the holy month with prayers, acts of charity, and communal meals.
Header image: Muslims offer Taraweeh, the first prayers marking the start of Ramazan at the Data Darbar mosque in Lahore on February 18, 2026. — Arif Ali / AFP
