Throughout Ramadan, Muslims abstain from any food or drink - including water - from morning to night. The month-long practice is aimed at heightening remembrance of God, curbing unhealthy habits and deepening gratitude.
In Mecca, home to the Kaaba - Islam s most sacred site - Muslims performed socially distanced “taraweeh” prayers, marking the start of Ramadan. Observant Muslims around the world pray toward the Kaaba five times a day.
Only limited numbers of worshippers are being allowed inside the Grand Mosque that houses the Kaaba in an effort to prevent the spread of the virus. Saudi authorities are only allowing individuals who ve been vaccinated or recently recovered from the virus to perform taraweeh prayers at the Kaaba.
Muslims in many parts of the world marked the start of Ramadan on Tuesday, but a spike in coronavirus cases in several countries has once again put curbs on the holy month s signature feasts and lengthy prayers in mosques.
Muslims around the world mark beginning of Ramadan with socially distanced prayers
The holy month is marked by intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts By Press Association Tuesday 13 Apr 2021, 8:35 PM 2 hours ago 6,995 Views 10 Comments
Indonesian Muslims pray spaced apart as they practice social distancing to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during an evening prayer called tarawih marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Image: PA
Indonesian Muslims pray spaced apart as they practice social distancing to curb the spread of the new coronavirus during an evening prayer called tarawih marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia.