In Pictures: Highlights of This Year’s Ramadan From All Over the Arab World

Every year, on the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, two billion Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan, abstaining from food and water from the early morning Fajr prayers to the early evening Maghrib prayers. It is a time of year where humanity is brought closer together as we forget our differences and put others before ourselves.

Here in the Arab World, Ramadan comes at a difficult time when we are most divided by our differences, but perhaps, it comes to remind us that we are only humans with a shared cultural heritage and historical background. Indeed, it is a call for all humans to come together and work towards making the world a better place.

The holy month has a vibe of coexistence and fraternity that is seen rarely at any other time in the year, and sincerely, we hope this spirit can carry on throughout the rest of the year.

Here in the Middle East, the traditions of Ramadan differ from the rest of the Muslim World, with staples of Arab culture such as zeinat Ramadan, madfa‘ al-iftar, mosalsat, and more shaping our celebration of the holy month. Here are some of the best highlights of this year’s Ramadan in the Arab World.

WE SAID THIS: Make sure to also check out: Different Ramadan Traditions Around the Region