Photo Essay : Ramadan

Pakistan
In the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims worldwide observe Ramadan, a period of fasting and other rituals designed to bring self-purification through self restraint and other good deeds. The fasting begins at dawn and lasts until sunset, when observers break their fast with an evening meal called the Iftar. Above, a child lines up food in preparation for the Iftar on the first day of Ramadan at the Memon Mosque in Karachi, Pakistan.

Jordan
The fast is traditionally broken by first consuming a date. Above, a woman displays dates during the fifth Jordanian Dates Exhibition at the Professional Associations Complex held right before the beginning of the observance in Amman

Indonesia
In Southeast Asian countries where dates may not be as readily available, other sugary treats are often consumed. Above, Indonesians buy traditional sweet snacks for breaking fast on the first day of Ramadan in Jakarta.

Egypt
A man in Cairo, Egypt prepares kunafa, an angel-hair type of pasta, which is incorporated into Arabic sweets enjoyed in the evening after the Ramadan fast is broken.

Afghanistan
Afghan men break their fast in a refugee camp in Kabul

Iraq
A worker displays cookies to be consumed during Ramadan at a bakery in Baghdad.

Palestine
Palestinian employees make pancake-like sweets for Ramadan in Gaza City.

Sudan
A vendor in Khartoum, Sudan displays dates for sale during the first day of Ramadan

Kuwait
A butcher works at his stall at a meat market in Kuwait City, Kuwait

Pakistan
A Pakistani flood-affected woman prepares tea for her family members before they begin their fast at a makeshift camp in Sukkur, Pakistan

Bangladesh
Muslims gather to buy food for Iftar in Dhaka.

India
An Indian man arranges food for the breaking of the fast in Jammu.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi and foreign Muslims break their fast at a collective daily meal served at the Dirah mosque at the end of the second day of Ramadan in Riyadh