Mideast in Pictures: Muslims in Middle East Start holy fasting month of Ramadan

A man shops at a market as the Muslim holy month of Ramadan starts in Sanaa, Yemen, April 13, 2021. (Photo by Mohammed Mohammed/Xinhua)

Muslims in Middle East countries started observing the holy fasting month of Ramadan on April 13.

During Ramadan, Muslims usually abstain from eating, drinking and smoking from sunrise to sunset. But they will hold the nightly feast breaking the fast, called Iftar, which is the happy time for family gatherings and enjoying the nuts, fruits, sweets, and delicious foods.

A stall selling dried fruits and dates is seen on the first day of Ramadan in Damascus, Syria, on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

People shop to prepare for Ramadan at a bazaar in Tehran, Iran, on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Ahmad Halabisaz/Xinhua)

People shop at a market on the first day of Ramadan in Algiers, Algeria, on April 13, 2021. (Xinhua)

People buy traditional sweets known as "Qatayef" at a market in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip, on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People shop at a market on the first day of Ramadan in Tunis, Tunisia, on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

People shop at a market on the first day of Ramadan in Tripoli, Lebanon, on April 13, 2021. (Photo by Khaled/Xinhua)

Palestinians buy pickles at a market in the West Bank city of Nablus ahead of Ramadan, on April 12, 2021. (Photo by Ayman Nobani/Xinhua)

People buy traditional lanterns for Ramadan at a market in Cairo, Egypt, on April 11, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Dongzhen)

A photo taken on April 12, 2021 shows a Palestinian child holding a lantern ahead of Ramadan in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

(Source：Xinhua）