Rituals of Ramadan

After going without food and water during the often-scorching heat of daylight hours, the faithful gather in a festive atmosphere at dusk to enjoy the communal iftar, or fast-breaking meal, together, such as at the Jama Masjid, or Grand Mosque, in the old quarters of Delhi.

Muslim worshippers aim to visit Mecca once in their lifetime as pilgrims, or hajji. It’s only permitted for Muslims to enter the holy city in Saudi Arabia, which is venerated as the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad.

Once there, the faithful pray at the Grand Mosque, the holiest place in Islam, on occasions such as Lailat al-Qadr, or Night of Power, on which the sacred text of the Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad by Allah.

(reuters.com)