In pictures: Ramadan worldwide

1 of 12 On the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, an Iraqi man cleans the carpet at a mosque in Baghdad.

2 of 12 The last sunset before Ramadan in Gaza... The Middle East began the festival on Friday, a day after Libya and Nigeria.

3 of 12 Employees cover a nude statue in a Jakarta nightclub. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.

4 of 12 An Iraqi mother and child tour a Baghdad market for provisions. During Ramadan Muslims fast during the day.

5 of 12 Thousands pray at Jakarta's Istiqlal mosque, the largest in south-east Asia.

6 of 12 Indian Muslims also gathered in large numbers at this mosque in Delhi.

7 of 12 A Jakarta woman reads the Koran while waiting to break her fast, at the Istiqlal Mosque.

8 of 12 A popular food during Ramadan in Pakistan is Khajla Phehni, deep-fried protein-rich vermicelli.

9 of 12 In Afghanistan, at Kabul's main market dates are in plentiful supply for the first day of Ramadan, on Thursday...

10 of 12 ..and business is good for barbers too.

11 of 12 Muslims traditionally decorate their homes, like this woman in Amman, Jordan.

12 of 12 A shopping mall in the United Arab Emirates is decorated with stars and crescents for the holiday.