The beginning of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia - in pictures

Worshippers around the Kaaba during Ramadan as captured from the Clock Towers complex in Makkah. All photos: AFP
Worshippers around the Kaaba during Ramadan as captured from the Clock Towers complex in Makkah. All photos: AFP
The Grand Mosque in Makkah as seen from the Clock Towers complex
The Grand Mosque in Makkah as seen from the Clock Towers complex
A view of the city of Makkah
A view of the city of Makkah
Muslim worshippers perform sunset prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as they mark the end of the first day of Ramadan.
Muslim worshippers perform sunset prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as they mark the end of the first day of Ramadan.
Muslim worshippers sit at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of the holy month
Muslim worshippers sit at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of the holy month
Muslims wait to pray as cleaning staff disinfect the grounds at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Muslims wait to pray as cleaning staff disinfect the grounds at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
A child is carried on the shoulders of a worshipper at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan
A child is carried on the shoulders of a worshipper at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan
Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Worshippers read the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Worshippers read the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Ramadan began on Thursday in Saudi Arabia
Ramadan began on Thursday in Saudi Arabia
A man carries a child at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
A man carries a child at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Observing Ramadan is one of the five holy pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims in good health
Observing Ramadan is one of the five holy pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims in good health
This year, much of the region will be fasting for about 14 hours a day
This year, much of the region will be fasting for about 14 hours a day
A man reads the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
A man reads the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah
Muslim pilgrims performing Umrah walk between the Marwa and Safa hills in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan
Muslim pilgrims performing Umrah walk between the Marwa and Safa hills in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan
A Muslim worshipper reads the Quran on the first day of the holy month
A Muslim worshipper reads the Quran on the first day of the holy month

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