With prayers, Muslims mark the beginning of Ramadan

Hundreds of millions of Muslims in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Thailand – among over 2 billion globally – marked the beginning of Ramadan with Tarawih prayers on Monday night followed by daytime fasting that began Tuesday.

Along with prayers and fasting where the faithful refrain from eating, drinking and smoking between dawn to dusk, Muslims recite the Quran to draw closer to God. 

Ramadan marks the ninth month in the Islamic year and commemorates the first revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. 

The month begins with sighting of the crescent moon and will conclude on the night of April 10, followed by the day-long Eid al-Fitr holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia, the home of Mecca, and some other Muslim countries, Ramadan began a day earlier this year.

Muslims worldwide greet the arrival of the fasting with Tarawih, a special prayer that they perform during the other 29 nights of Ramadan. 

Each evening during the month, worshipers break their fast with dates and other fruits before eating meals. In Bangladesh, prices for staples including dates, raisins and fruit have increased by 17% to 55% in recent days.

In the Philippines, a Catholic-majority country, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Ramadan represents a demonstration of faith that creates stronger bonds in communities.

“Ramadan holds special significance as it reminds us of the rich diversity to our cultural and religious tapestry in the Philippines,” he said in the statement issued Sunday.

“It is with no doubt that our Muslim brothers and sisters have made invaluable contributions to our nation’s history and heritage, shaping our beloved motherland into the diverse and united country that it is today,” he said.

This year, Ramadan occurs as international calls for a ceasefire in Gaza so far have fallen short. Israeli strikes have killed more than 30,000 people and left nearly 600,000 starving, five months after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks against Israelis by Hamas. 

“This pain is felt acutely by Muslims around the world, and so this year, Ramadan feels different,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Biden said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. As we deliver additional aid to Gaza, we will continue to work non-stop to establish an immediate and sustained ceasefire for at least six weeks as part of a deal that releases hostages.

Despite reports about negotiations for a possible ceasefire during Ramadan, the United States, Israel’s closest ally, has previously blocked several previous U.N. resolutions calling for a truce in Gaza. The Biden administration has also continued to send military aid to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government despite the humanitarian crisis and threat of famine looming over the Palestinian enclave.   

“We will also continue to pursue a two-state solution to ensure Palestinians and Israelis share equal measures of freedom, dignity, security, and prosperity. Peace is possible, it is necessary, and it is urgent,” Blinken said. 

“