Muslims Mark the Start of the Holy Month of Ramadan

Published April 3rd, 2022 - 07:52 GMT

Muslims worldwide have joyfully marked the start of the holy month of Ramadan by decorating their homes and streets with lanterns and crescents.

Ramadan, which is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

By citing the Hilal "crescent moon," which typically occurs approximately one day after the new moon, Muslims can usually estimate the beginning of Ramadan; however, many prefer to confirm the official start of Ramadan by direct visual observation of the crescent.

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Muslim men read the holy Koran at Al-Kabir Mosque in the old city of Yemen's capital Sanaa, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)

A Yemeni vendor sells dates at a market in the old city of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)

A Muslim woman read the Koran ahead of prayers at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by AFP)

A Yemeni vendor sells copies of the Koran at a market in the old city of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)

Israeli security forces stand guard on top of the Damascus gate in Jerusalem's Old City on April 2, 2022, as Palestinians gather on the first day of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)

A sign decorates a mall in Dubai on April 2, 2022, during the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)

Muslim devotees offer prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Hasyim Asyari mosque in Jakarta on April 2, 2022. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)

The illuminated Jama Masjid Mosque is pictured on the eve of the start of holy fasting month of Ramadan in the old quarters of Delhi on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)

This long exposure picture shows Palestinians standing next to the lantern known in Arabic as "Fanous Ramadan" on the first day of the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, early on April 2. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)

Muslim worshippers perform the Tarawih prayer of Ramadan at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, on April 1, 2022,on the eve of the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The Holy Month of Ramadan
Muslim men read the holy Koran at Al-Kabir Mosque in the old city of Yemen's capital Sanaa, on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
A Yemeni vendor sells dates at a market in the old city of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
A Muslim woman read the Koran ahead of prayers at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca on the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
A Yemeni vendor sells copies of the Koran at a market in the old city of the Yemeni capital Sanaa on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, on April 2, 2022. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
Israeli security forces stand guard on top of the Damascus gate in Jerusalem's Old City on April 2, 2022, as Palestinians gather on the first day of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan. (Photo by Menahem KAHANA / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
A sign decorates a mall in Dubai on April 2, 2022, during the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
Muslim devotees offer prayers on the first night of the holy month of Ramadan at the Hasyim Asyari mosque in Jakarta on April 2, 2022. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
The illuminated Jama Masjid Mosque is pictured on the eve of the start of holy fasting month of Ramadan in the old quarters of Delhi on April 2, 2022. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
This long exposure picture shows Palestinians standing next to the lantern known in Arabic as "Fanous Ramadan" on the first day of the start of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, early on April 2. (Photo by MOHAMMED ABED / AFP)
The Holy Month of Ramadan
Muslim worshippers perform the Tarawih prayer of Ramadan at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul, on April 1, 2022,on the eve of the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. (Photo by Yasin AKGUL / AFP)

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