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Ramadan begins around the world amid Covid restrictions

Millions of Muslims are observing the start of Ramadan, a festival that includes a month of fasting and prayer.

Getty Images Muslim worshippers pray in a mosqueGetty Images
Muslims perform the first Tarawih prayer of Ramadan at the Diyanet Center of America in Washington, US, on 13 April

This is the second Ramadan to fall during the coronavirus pandemic, meaning some communities will be marking it amid Covid restrictions.

Believers taking part will not eat or drink anything during daylight hours.

Fasting is considered to be an act of worship, which enables Muslims to feel closer to God and strengthen their spiritual health and self-discipline.

Here are pictures from around the world showing preparations for Ramadan and the first day of the festival.

Shutterstock Muslims use a telescope as the sun setsShutterstock
Muslims monitor the hilal on 12 April using a telescope in Palembang, Indonesia

Ramadan falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and starts with the sighting of the new moon, also known as the hilal.

Shutterstock A giant colourful lanternShutterstock
Workers install a giant traditional fanous lantern, a symbol of Ramadan festivities that dates back more than 800 years, in Gaza City on 12 April

The festival is considered one of the holiest Islamic months.

It's also one of the Five Pillars of Islam; the five principles which Muslims believe are compulsory acts ordered by God.

As well as fasting during daylight hours, Ramadan is a time when Muslims are encouraged to give to charity, strengthen their relationship with God, and show kindness and patience.

Reuters A worker stands on a ladder and hangs a fanous lanternReuters
Workers hang traditional fanous lanterns in preparation of Ramadan in Najaf, Iraq, on 12 April
Getty Images People stand in the ocean surf as the sun setsGetty Images
Indonesians take a dip on the beach as part of the traditional ritual called Padusan to welcome the holy month of Ramadan at Parangtritis Beach, in Yogyakarta, Indonesia on April 12, 2021. Padusan is a Javanese tradition to purify oneself ahead of Ramadan

As Ramadan begins on 13 April, some Muslim communities will find their traditional practises affected by restrictions to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Reuters A worker sprays disinfectant from a hose at the exterior of a mosqueReuters
A worker sprays disinfectant to sanitise a mosque to help stop the spread of coronavirus on the first day of Ramadan in Peshawar, Pakistan

In the UK, the iftar meal to break the fast at sunset is usually shared with family and friends, but because of the lockdown, such meetings will be restricted.

However, while mixing between households was banned during Ramadan in 2020, this year the festival coincides with the easing of some lockdown rules in England.

Up to six people or two households can now gather outdoors and restaurants will be able to serve meals outdoors.

Elsewhere around the world, similar lockdown restrictions and rules are in place, such as wearing face masks whilst worshipping.

Getty Images A mosque with an electronic sign saying RamazanGetty Images
A view of Diyanet Center of America in Washington
Getty Images A Muslim worshipper prays whilst wearing a face maskGetty Images
A worshipper performs the first Tarawih prayer of Ramadan at the Diyanet Center of America in Washington, US (above and below)
Getty Images Worshippers praying in a mosqueGetty Images
Anadolu Agency Worshippers praying in a mosqueAnadolu Agency

In a tweet, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities asked people to "avoid evening gatherings during Ramadan, limit family visits, and avoid distributing and exchanging meals between homes and families".

EPA Two teenagers read the KoranEPA
Two teenagers read and memorise the Koran during Ramadan at a mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia
EPA Students pray together in a rowEPA
Muslim students pray in their classroom at the Sirajussa'adah boarding school in Depok, West Java, Indonesia

In Bangladesh, the government announced a strict lockdown for one week, starting on 14 April.

Shutterstock An aerial view of people shopping at a vegetable market, Barishal, Bangladesh (13 April)Shutterstock
People flock to a vegetable market in the Bangladeshi town of Barishal on 13 April before a week-long lockdown is imposed
Getty Images People enjoy a street celebration during RamadanGetty Images
People attend a street gathering in the old town of Iraq's northern city of Mosul on 13 April (above and below)
Getty Images Children dance around a lantern in the old town of Iraq's northern city of MosulGetty Images
Getty Images Children pose in front of street art depicting cultural elements including mosques, and old window lattices of the old town of Iraq's northern city of MosulGetty Images
Children pose in front of street art depicting cultural elements including mosques in Mosul's old town
AFP A worshipper reads the Koran at his houseAFP
A worshipper reads the Koran at his house in Panama City, Panama, before breaking his fast at the end of the first day of Ramadan (above and below)
AFP A worshipper reads the Koran at his houseAFP

All pictures are subject to copyright.