Ramadan begins for hundreds of millions of Muslims

Alsharq Tribune- Al Otaify

Hundreds of millions of Muslims began the fasting month of Ramadan on Saturday. In Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, March 1 has been declared as the first day of fasting. The start is based on the sighting of the new moon crescent and can therefore vary depending on the country.

In Iran, where the state religion is Shia Islam, the second-largest branch of the religion after Sunnism, Ramadan begins on Sunday. Devout Muslims abstain from dawn until sunset during the month of Ramadan from eating, drinking, smoking and sexual intercourse.

After sundown, Muslims traditionally gather for the communal breaking of the fast, known as iftar. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Globally, there are an estimated 1.9 billion Muslims. Most reside in Indonesia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. In the Arab region, Saudi Arabia hosts Islam's two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina.