Muslims welcoming holy month of Ramadan

Freshly-baked Turkish Ramadan flatbreads are seen in a bakeshop in Ankara, Turkey on April 25, 2019. Bakeries having busy working days to provide ramadan pita because it is demanded more than anytime for Iftar dinners during the Muslims’ holy fasting month of Ramadan. ( Gökhan Balcı – Anadolu Agency )

Ramadan lanterns also called fanouses, are on sale at a market ahead of Muslims’ Holy Month of Ramadan at Sayyida Zaynab neighborhood of Cairo in Egypt on May 4, 2019. Ramadan lanterns are decorative lanterns crafted specifically for the holy month. ( Ahmed Al Sayed – Anadolu Agency )

Children carry torches during a parade to welcome Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 4, 2019. Ramadan is a fasting holy month for Muslims around the world where they refrain from eating, drinking, and all lust from dawn to dusk. ( Anton Raharjo – Anadolu Agency )

Iraqi Muslims shop at the Shorjah market ahead of Muslims’ Holy Month of Ramadan in Baghdad, Iraq on May 04, 2019. ( Haydar Karaalp – Anadolu Agency )

Muslims all around the world are getting ready to welcome the holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Sunday evening in Turkey, Anadolu reports.

Millions of Muslims on Sunday will offer their first special evening Ramadan prayer called Tarawih, which will then continue throughout the holy month.

Ramadan is believed to be a time of intense spirituality when believers are surrounded by angels, the gates of heaven open, and Allah’s blessings and mercy are abundant. But it is also a time of great excitement, filling the cities with jubilant festivities bringing the streets to life when the sun goes down.

Fasting, held from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and great religious devotion.

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There is also a holy night called Laylat al-Qadr, which means “Night of Power,” when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

Muslims are instructed to seek the Night of Power during the last 10 days of Ramadan, particularly on the odd-numbered nights.

It is reported that the prophet said, “Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins.”

Muslims in Turkey will begin fasting on Monday.

The holy month will see many of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims commit to a strict daytime fast, often taking the opportunity to make promises to improve their lives.