Photos show Ramadan festivities around the world as Muslims mark second pandemic-struck holiday

Erin SnodgrassApr 15, 2021, 05:53 IST

Muslims wait to break their fast during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 14, 2021AP Photo/Anjum Naveed

Tuesday marked the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan around the world.
More than 1 billion people began celebrations this week for the second Ramadan of the pandemic era.
Varying pandemic restrictions imposed some changes to the typical customs and festivities.

Tuesday marked the first day of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting among Muslims, celebrated by more than 1 billion people around the world each year.

Muslim devotees break their Iftar fast on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan at the Jama Masjid Mosque in the old quarters of Delhi, India on April 14, 2021 in New Delhi, India. Photo by Anindito Mukherjee/Getty Images

This is the second consecutive year Muslims have celebrated Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic. But for many, this year's celebrations are closer to normal than last year's.

People pray before breaking their fast during the holy fasting month of Ramadan at a mosque, in Lahore, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary

This is the second consecutive year Muslims have celebrated Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic. But for many, this year's celebrations are closer to normal than last year's.

Though COVID restrictions remain in many places this year, festive crowds still gathered in mosques and shopping centers to pray and buy food.

Muslim devotees buy Iftar food before breaking their fast on the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, at a market in Lahore on April 14, 2021. Photo by ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images

India's celebrations were scaled back as the country faces a deadly second surge of COVID-19 cases.

Elderly Muslims read holy book before breaking fast on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan at the Jama Mosque, in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. AP Photo/Manish Swarup

In Turkey, many were forced to break their fast in small groups or alone, due to restrictions stemming from record-level COVID-19 cases.

People break their fast backdroped by the iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, decorated with lights marking the month of Ramadan, in the historic Sultan Ahmed district of Istanbul Tuesday, April 13, 2021. AP Photo/Emrah Gurel

Meanwhile, shop owners in Jerusalem's Old City told The Times they were worried Israel wouldn't allow in large groups of Palestinians from the West Bank during the holiday, which would hurt holiday spending prospects.

A Palestinian woman hangs decorative lights in preparation for the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, at a shop in Jerusalem's Old City, Monday, April 12, 2021. AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean

Meanwhile, shop owners in Jerusalem's Old City told The Times they were worried Israel wouldn't allow in large groups of Palestinians from the West Bank during the holiday, which would hurt holiday spending prospects.

People shared communal meals in Pakistan ...

People pray before breaking their fast, during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. AP Photo/Muhammad Sajjad

And Indonesia ...

Muslim men pray before breaking their fast on the first day of Ramadan at a mosque in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. AP Photo/Binsar Bakkara

... and Afghanistan.

Muslims pray before a communal Iftar meal breaking their fast, at sundown on the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at a mosque in Kabul, Afghanistan. AP Photo/Rahmat Gul

Ramadan lasts a month and will end this year on the evening of May 12.

Muslim pilgrims circumambulate around the Kaaba, the cubic building at the Grand Mosque, during the minor pilgrimage, known as Umrah, marking the holy month of Ramadan, in the Muslim holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday, April 13, 2021. AP Photo/Amr Nabil

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Photos show Ramadan festivities around the world as Muslims mark second pandemic-struck holiday

Tuesday marked the first day of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting among Muslims, celebrated by more than 1 billion people around the world each year.

This is the second consecutive year Muslims have celebrated Ramadan during the COVID-19 pandemic. But for many, this year's celebrations are closer to normal than last year's.

Though COVID restrictions remain in many places this year, festive crowds still gathered in mosques and shopping centers to pray and buy food.

India's celebrations were scaled back as the country faces a deadly second surge of COVID-19 cases.

In Turkey, many were forced to break their fast in small groups or alone, due to restrictions stemming from record-level COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, shop owners in Jerusalem's Old City told The Times they were worried Israel wouldn't allow in large groups of Palestinians from the West Bank during the holiday, which would hurt holiday spending prospects.

People shared communal meals in Pakistan ...

And Indonesia ...

... and Afghanistan.

Ramadan lasts a month and will end this year on the evening of May 12.