So, we are given the opportunity to meet the holy month of Ramadan once again. Let’s see how people around the world celebrate this blessed month!
1. Istanbul, Turkey
Thousands of people breaking their fast on the first day of Ramadan at the Blue Mosque square.
Credit: Halit Yetkin on Facebook
Ramadan is also known as Ramazan in Turkey. Being an Islamic country, visitors are advised to be discrete about eating in public during the fasting hours. It is also the month when the Holy Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad.
2. Jakarta, Indonesia
Muslims praying the Tarawih prayers in the Istiqal Mosque in Jakarta.
Credit: Novia Elvita Arlis on Facebook
Indonesians buying food for their iftar at the Ramadan bazaar.
Credit: Eduardo M.C on Flickr
Indonesia is where the largest number of Muslims reside – they form about 95 percent of the country’s population! One interesting fact is that the kids will parade around their neighbourhood and shout “Sahur! Sahur!” to wake everyone up for their pre-dawn meal.
3. China
Muslims gathering to pray at the mosque in Xi'an.
Credit: Jack Zalium on Flickr
Muslims breaking their fast on the first day of Ramadan at the night market in Xinjiang.
Credit: Evgeni Zotov on Flickr
Many Muslims from all over China gathered at Niujie Mosque, the largest and oldest mosque in China, on the first day of Ramadan this year. However, the civil servants, teachers and pupils in the Xinjiang region have been banned from fasting or taking part in any religious activities. Restaurants have also been ordered to follow their normal opening hours.
4. London, England
Muslims in London waiting to break their fast in the mosque after fasting during the daylight hours.
Credit: Ahsanul Karim on Facebook
Muslim men praying together, led by Imam Asim Hafiz.
Credit: Defence Images on Flickr
It is said that this year, Muslims in the UK are fasting the longest hours in 33 years as Ramadan coincides with the summer solstice. The end of Ramadan falls on 7 July in the UK this year and it will be celebrated with various Eid festivals across the region.
5. Palestine
A young Palestinian vendor selling bread in the West Bank for Ramadan.
Credit: David Ortmann on Flickr
Muslims breaking their fast at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.
Credit: Eye on Palestine on Facebook
Palestine men over the age of 45, children under 12 and women of all ages were allowed to enter East Jerusalem without entry permits by the Israeli army during the month of Ramadan, so that they will be able to pray and have their iftar in the Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is considered sacred by both the Jews and Muslims.
6. Pakistan
Pakistani Muslims breaking his fast at a mosque in Rawalpindi.
Credit: Junaidrao on Flickr
Pakistani Muslim vendors selling bread at the street food market.
Credit: Shahzeb Younas on Flickr
7. Thailand
Thai Muslim women praying the Terawih prayers outside of the mosque as there is a lack of space in the praying hall.
Credit: Maged Rashed on Facebook
Muslims in Pattani breaking their fast.
Credit: Nay Sai on Facebook
Although Buddhism is the religion for the majority of the people in Thailand, the Muslims make up about 5 percent of the population. They are mostly situated in Southern Thailand – Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat which are just across the border from Malaysia.
8. Dhaka, Bangladesh
The major Iftar bazaar of Dhaka during the month of Ramadan.
Credit: Joe Coyle on Flickr
A Muslim man reciting the Quran in a mosque.
Credit: Abdul Aziz Apu on Flickr
Islam is the largest religion in Bangladesh and it has the world’s fourth largest Muslim population. The towns and villages are adorned with beautiful lights and decorations to celebrate the holy month.
9. Philippines
Muslims praying outside Mindanao’s first ever pink mosque as they start to observe the first day of Ramadan.
Credit: Hokage Ng Cotabato on Facebook
10. Bosnia
Bosnian men and women having their iftar together.
Credit: The Beauty of Islam on Facebook
Bosnia has a lack of mosques after the Bosnian War was over. Therefore, many Muslims perform their prayers in public spaces.
11. New York City, USA
The Turkish Cultural Centre has been setting up a Ramadan Tent for the past 10 years to provide free food at the end of a fasting day to everyone.
Credit: Turkish Cultural Centre on Facebook
Just like Muslims from other parts of the world, the Muslims here fast during the daylight hours. This year, the fast in U.S.A is about 16 and a half hours long!
12. Cairo, Egypt
A man reading the holy Quran in the Al-Refaie mosque.
Credit: Hossam El Homalawy on Flickr
During the month of Ramadan, free food is given out as charity for people to break their fast. People also read the holy Quran as part of their daily routines.
13. Tokyo, Japan
Japanese Muslim women having iftar together.
Credit: Japan Muslim Association on Facebook
Japanese Muslim men praying together.
Credit: Japan Muslim Association on Facebook
Although the predominant religions in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto, there are about 10,000 Muslims in the country. The Tokyo Camii, which is also known as the Tokyo Mosque, organises various activities during the month of Ramadan.
14. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A widespread of food being sold at one of the Ramadan bazaars.
[Check out 10 of the most happening Ramadan bazaars to visit nearby MRT/LRT stations in KL!]
Credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendi on Flickr
Muslim women waiting to break their fast together at Islamic Art Museum.
Credit: Amrufm on Flickr
Just like us, our nearest neighbour Malaysia has lots of Ramadan bazaars which sells cheap and yummy food! Muslims in Malaysia also fast during the daylight hours and break their fast with their family and friends.
15. Singapore
Muslims doing their tarawih prayers in a mosque.
Credit: Muhammad Daud Daud on Facebook
All the yummy food in one place. You’ll definitely be spoiled for choice!
Credit: Kirk Siang on Flickr
In Singapore, we are blessed as we are given the freedom to practice our own religions, especially in the holy month of Ramadan. Lucky for us Muslims, we have endless choices of Halal food!
[Don't miss these 10 treats that can only be found in Singapore's Ramadan bazaars!]
16. Doha, Qatar
Muslim men pray during Ramadan in Doha, Qatar at the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque.
Credit: Omar Chatriwala on Flickr
Muslims having iftar inside a Ramadan tent together.
Credit: Omar Chatriwala on Flickr
So there you have it – Ramadan around the world! Hopefully this has given you an insight of how Muslims around the world celebrate this holy month. I don’t know about you but this definitely inspires me to want to travel during Ramadan and experience a different atmosphere next time!