In pictures: Ramadan celebration

Muslims across the world have begun observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

A strict abstinence is observed during daylight hours, with friends and family coming together after sunset to mark the breaking of the fast.

Sunset is a time for breaking the fast and the fourth prayer of the day

Ramadan is not only a time of abstinence, but also speciality food during the hours of darkness

Ahead of the fast, Turkish peacekeepers helped distribute the fasting schedules to residents of the Afghan capital, Kabul

Ramadan, which begins when the new moon appears, will not be until Thursday in Pakistan (above) and India

The fate of Iraq is on many Muslims' minds

... and ironically-named "Saddam Hussein mass destruction" dates are selling well in Cairo

American Muslims have had one eye on elections and another on stocking up for the fast

Turkey has also just come out of elections - in which an Islamic-based party scored a landslide victory