Ramadan in Pictures 2011

The Holy Month of Ramadan began on Monday, August 1, 2011 for most Muslims around the world. Take a look of how Muslims around the world heralded Ramadan, and how they are practicing fasting and other beneficial acts (such as charity, contemplation of God) during Ramadan.

Ramadan in Pictures 2011

Muslims attend mass prayer session "Tarawih", which marks the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

A Palestinian vendor hangs decorations for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan at a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. The Dome of the Rock on the compound known to Muslims as al-Haram al-Sharif, and to Jews as Temple Mount, is seen in the back.
Source: REUTERS

A man sells pickles ahead during a preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar
Source: REUTERS

A Palestinian woman stands under decorations for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's Old City July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Tourists stand under decorations for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan at a market in Jerusalem's Old City July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

A vendor arranges limes on display as Jordanians shop in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Jordanians shop in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Jordanians shop in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Jordanians shop in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Muslim women attend mass prayer session "Tarawih", which marks the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Al Akbar mosque in Surabaya, East Java July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Jordanians shop in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the downtown market area in Amman July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Children play next a man praying before mass prayer session "Tarawih", which marks the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Muslim woman attend mass prayer session "Tarawih", which marks the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Al Markaz Al Islami mosque in Makassar, South Sulawesi July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Muslims attend mass prayer session "Tarawih", which marks the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal mosque in Jakarta, July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Jakarta, July 31, 2011
Source: REUTERS

A Koran is seen next to Egyptian men as they rest at a mosque in Cairo July 31, 2011. Millions of Muslims worldwide will celebrate the beginning of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Monday, August 1. Ramadan is where Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

Women shop at a supermarket in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. After six months of mass protests seeking to end president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule, demonstrators vow to continue their sit-in at Taghyeer square over the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Source: REUTERS

A man walks past a sign with the words "He will not leave" scrawled below a picture of president Ali Abdullah Saleh in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. After six months of mass protests seeking to end president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule, demonstrators vow to continue their sit-in at Taghyeer square over the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Source: REUTERS

Hajj Abdullah, a Yemeni man in his eighties, eats "maloujeh" bread as shop vendors prepare for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. After six months of mass protests seeking to end president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule, demonstrators vow to continue their sit-in at Taghyeer square over the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Source: REUTERS

A woman walks past a shop selling spices and vegetables in preparation for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. After six months of mass protests seeking to end president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 33-year rule, demonstrators vow to continue their sit-in at Taghyeer square over the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
Source: REUTERS

Palestinians shop at a market in Gaza City ahead of the holy month of Ramadan July 31, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

An officer of Malaysia's Islamic authority uses a telescope to perform "rukyah", the sighting of the new moon of Ramadan, in Putrajaya outside Kuala Lumpur July 31, 2011. Muslims scan the sky at dusk in the beginning of the lunar calendar's ninth month in search of the new moon to proclaim the start of Ramadan, Islam's holiest month, during which observant believers fast from dawn to dusk. Muslims in Malaysia begin the Ramadan fasting month on Monday.
Source: REUTERS

Darawish Sufi dance group performs a traditional dance to celebrate the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan during the Ajyalouna Festival in Beirut July 30, 2011. Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and conducting sexual relations from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Source: REUTERS

A man sells pickles ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan at the Shorja wholesale market in central Baghdad July 30, 2011. Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar, during which Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.
Source: REUTERS