Muslims in Mecca gathered for the first taraweeh prayers on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan Wednesday (22/3/2023) night.
Ramadan began at sundown on Wednesday as the faithful prepared for a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intended to bring them closer to god and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate.
For the next 30 days, muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything, even the tiniest sip of water from sunrise to sunset.
Many will strictly observe prayers, read the quran and donate to charity as they seek to draw closer to god. Family and friends will gather for joyful nightly feasts.
Ramadan is also coming back to Jerusalem's old city where Palestinian muslims gathered at Al-Aqsa mosque for offering "taraweeh" prayer in the first Ramadan's night.
Tonight, they performed prayer peacefully though on Monday, Israel Goverment officialy announced several restrictions on Palestinans who wish to enter Al-Aqso mosque. Israeli official also announce that security cleareance is required. Al-Aqso mosque is the third holiest site in islam.
Meanwhile in Srinagar in Indian-controlled Kashmir, muslims gathered at city's grand mosque to offer afternoon prayers.
Devout muslims abstain from all eating, drinking or smoking from dawn to dusk each day for the entire lunar month, around 30 days.
