Ramadan is a time of togetherness for Muslims, as they fill mosques for hours of prayer and share large, lavish meals with family, friends and neighbors after days of dawn-to-dusk fasting.

Ramadan or Ramzan is one of the holiest months of the year in the Islamic calendar. It is said that Allah gives blessings to those observing fast and doing charity work during this period. The dates of Ramadan keep changing every year,

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar confirmed the start of Ramadan on Friday after the crescent moon was sighted by Islamic astronomy observers in Aceh, the westernmost province of Indonesia.