Anwar Amro—AFP
Muslim holy month of fasting commences in most of the world from Monday, with other countries starting on Tuesday.
The annual fasting month of Ramzan is due to begin Monday in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, religious authorities in the four Muslim countries said.
The announcement was made on Sunday after the sighting of the crescent moon.
Other Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa are also expected to begin observing Ramzan on Monday or on Tuesday.
During Ramzan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and having sex from dawn to dusk. The break the fast with a meal known as iftar and before dawn they have a second opportunity to eat and drink during sehar.
Ramzan is sacred to Muslims because tradition says the holy Quran was revealed to Islam’s Prophet during that month. Ramzan is followed by the Eid ul-Fitr festival.