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Muslim holy month of Ramazan starts Monday in Gulf

By AFP
June 05, 2016

The annual fasting month of Ramazan is due to begin Monday in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, religious authorities in the four Muslim countries said.

The announcement was made on Sunday after the sighting of the crescent moon.

Other Muslim countries in the Middle East and North Africa are also expected to begin observing Ramazan on Monday or on Tuesday.

During Ramazan, Muslims around the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and indulging in prohibited acts during their fast.

The break the fast with a meal known as iftar and before dawn they have a second opportunity to eat and drink during suhur.

Ramazan is sacred to Muslims because tradition says the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) during that month.

Ramazan is followed by the Eid al-Fitr festival.