Thousands of Muslims gathered at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Wednesday (February 18) marking the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan.

People filled the vast marble courtyards and prayer halls. As night fell, worshippers broke their fast and performed special evening prayers, with many remaining at the mosque until late into the night.

The holy month, observed by Muslims worldwide, is one of the busiest periods of the year at Islam’s holiest sites, drawing worshippers from across Saudi Arabia and the world.

Ramadan, the ninth and the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam. It is a month of austerity and of exercising self-restraint, during which fasting Muslims abstain from food and water from dawn to sunset.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. MUSLIMS CIRCLING KAABA AS THEY PERFORM TAWAF

2. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE REACHING TOWARD THE KAABA'S DOOR

3. PEOPLE WAVING AT KAABA

4. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CIRCLING KAABA AS THEY PERFORM TAWAF

5. PEOPLE AT THE GRAND MOSQUE

6. MAN PRAYING

7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE BRAKING THEIR FAST DURING MAGHRIB (SUNSET) CALL OF PRAYER

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WORSHIPPER FROM MOROCCO, ADIL AL-MAGHRABI, SAYING:

"The feeling of seeing the Kaaba for the first time gives a sense of awe, fear, mercy, and a mixture of emotions blending together. A person tries to explain it, but he can't truly put into words the feeling he is experiencing.”

9. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PRAYING

10. PEOPLE WALKING IN THE GRAND MOSQUE YARD

11. PEOPLE PRAYING IN THE GRAND MOSQUE YARD

12. (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) WORSHIPPER FROM MAURITANIA, MOHAMMED HAIBA SAYING:

"By God, the feeling here is indescribable. It is truly great happiness. No matter the physical tiredness and hardship, but thank God, there is great joy. Muslims from everywhere (are here). It was very crowded today. The day was tiring but thankfully, it passed safely. We ask God to accept from us and from you our righteous deeds.”

13. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE PRAYING

14. CRESCENT WITH STAR DECORATION

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