Muslims worldwide mark beginning of holy month of Ramadan

Millions of Muslims all around the world have marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan

Millions of Muslims all around the world have marked the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan.

The Grand Ayatollah Sayed Sadiq Hussaini Shirazi, may Allah prolong his life, declared Friday as the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is the time when Muslims around the world fast for around 30 days and break their fast after evening prayers by having an “iftar” meal.

This year, Ramadan falls at the time of summer solstice and thus Muslims must abstain from eating and drinking for long hours a day.

The fasting time span is even much longer for the Muslims in the Scandinavian countries where there will remain only around three hours for eating and drinking between the sunset and the sunrise.

There are an estimated 1.6 billion Muslims around the world, making up a majority in 49 countries.