In pictures: Prayers, charity, and iftar meals mark the beginning of Ramazan

Ramazan is welcomed by Muslims around the world as a sacred month of fasting, reflection and spiritual renewal, observed by more than 1.9 billion people across different countries. From dawn to sunset, Muslims fast from food and drink, dedicating the month to prayer, charity and community. Mosques fill for nightly Taraweeh prayers, families gather for iftar meals at sunset, and acts of generosity increase as believers seek spiritual growth and closeness to Allah. Beyond the physical fast, Ramazan emphasises patience, self-discipline and compassion for those less fortunate, making it one of the most significant and unifying periods in the Islamic calendar. Here are some glimpses from different countries, including Pakistan, Occupied Kashmir, Palestine, Sudan, Nigeria, Kosovo, Malaysia and Indonesia, capturing how communities welcomed the holy month with prayers, acts of charity, and communal meals. Madrassa students recite the Quran on the first day of Ramazan, in Peshawar on February 19, 2026. — Abdul Majeed / AFP A madrassa student recites the Quran on the first day of Ramazan, in Peshawar on February 19, 2026. — Abdul Majeed/ AFP Worshippers perform Taraweeh, the first prayers marking the start of Ramazan at the New Memon mosque in Karachi on February 18, 2026. — Asif Hassan/AFP Vendors prepare fritters for iftar meals on the first day of Ramazan in Karachi on February 19, 2026. — Rizwan Tabassum / AFP People buy fritters for iftar meals to break their fast on the first day of Ramazan in Karachi on February 19, 2026. — Rizwan Tabassum / AFP A Muslim devotee reads before offering prayers on the first day of Ramazan at a mosque in Pristina, Kosovo, on February 19, 2026. — Armend Nimani/ AFP A Muslim devotee offers prayers on the first day of Ramazan at a mosque in Pristina, Kosovo, on February 19, 2026. —Armend Nimani / AFP A man reads the Quran while waiting to break fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on February 19, 2026. — Bay Ismoyo / AFP Muslim devotees gather to listen to a religious lecture while waiting to break their fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on February 19, 2026. — Bay Ismoyo / AFP Staff members distribute iftar meals to Muslim devotees ahead of breaking their fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on February 19, 2026. — Bay Ismoyo/ AFP A Muslim devotee reads the Quran while waiting to break fast at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on February 19, 2026. — Bay Ismoyo / AFP Malaysian Muslims gather ahead of performing the first Taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramazan in Kuala Lumpur on February 18, 2026. — Arif Kartono / AFP Palestinian street vendors make falafels in Gaza City’s Zawiya market on February 18, 2026, on the first days of the holy fasting month of Ramazan. — Omar Al-Qattaa / AFP Palestinian women stand in front of a stall selling sweets in Gaza City’s Zawiya market on February 18, 2026, on the first days of the holy fasting month of Ramazan. — Omar Al-Qattaa/ AFP Muslim worshippers perform the evening prayer on the first day of Ramazan at the Nadwat Global Assembly Mosque in Lagos Island on February 18, 2026. — Oyewole Lawal / AFP Sudanese Muslims gather in a street to have their fast-breaking iftar meal on the first day of Ramazan in Port Sudan on February 18, 2026. —Ibrahim Ishaq / AFP People buy iftar meals to break their fast on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramazan at a market in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on February 19, 2026. — Madaree Tohlala/ AFP People buy iftar meals to break their fast on the first day of Ramazan at a market in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on February 19, 2026. —Madaree Tohlala/ AFP A street food vendor selling iftar meals set up a stall on the first day of Ramazan at a market in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on February 19, 2026. — Madaree Tohlala/ AFP A street food vendor selling iftar meals set up a stall on the first day of Ramazan at a market in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat on February 19, 2026. Madaree Tohlala / AFP Muslims offer prayers on the first day of Ramazan, along a street in Indian-occupied Kashmir on February 19, 2026. — Tauseef Mustafa/ AFP Muslims offer prayers on the first day of Ramazan, along a street in Indian-occupied Kashmir on February 19, 2026. — Tauseef Mustafa/ AFP Men sit on a bench in a park on the first day of Ramazan, in Indian-occupied Kashmir on February 19, 2026. — Tauseef Mustafa/ AFP Header image: Muslims offer Taraweeh, the first prayers marking the start of Ramazan at the Data Darbar mosque in Lahore on February 18, 2026. — Arif Ali / AFP

By none@none.com (News Desk)

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