Muslims across the world set to begin Ramadan

Muslims around the world are set to mark the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, set to begin on Saturday. 

 Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries, as well as other Sunni-majority countries, are set to start the month on Saturday. 

 "The Supreme Court has decided that tomorrow, Saturday, is the first day of the month of (Ramadan)," the official Saudi Press Agency announced.

 Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, the Palestinian territories, Sudan and Tunisia will also begin the daytime fast on Saturday.

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, will also begin celebrations on Saturday. 

Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar announced Friday that Ramadan will begin on Saturday after the sighting of the crescent moon was confirmed by Islamic astronomy observers in Indonesia's westernmost province of Aceh.

However, Shiite-dominated Iran declared Sunday the first day of Ramadan. Morocco, which has a Sunni Muslim population, will be the only country to start observing the daytime fast on Sunday, its Islamic Affairs Ministry said. 

How is Ramadan celebrated?

During Ramadan, believers are encouraged to abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours. Donating to the poor is also encouraged. 

Muslims are also encouraged to not engage in gossip, fighting or cursing during the month.

People often buy new clothes and shop for sweets to prepare. Feasts are prepared for pre-dawn and post-sundown meals, known as "iftar."

Each country and region also has its own different ways of marking the festival. In Indonesia, parades and cleaning graves are also a part of the festival.

The fasting is supposed to remind believers of the suffering of the poor and bring them closer to God.
 

Edited by: Sean M. Sinico