Twitter has been awash with people wishing each other peace and happiness to mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, when eligible Muslims fast between sunrise and sunset for 30 days.
Celebrated worldwide, the annual occasion unfolds on the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and involves extra prayers and spending time with family and friends.
Ramadan begins this year on June 18, and will continue until Friday July 17. Muslims began their first fast at sunrise on Thursday and are not able to eat or drink during daylight hours.
Malaysian Muslims perform a prayer called 'taraweeh' ahead of Ramadan
Tweets to mark the start of Ramadan ranged from messages of love and devotion, to some who were feeling a bit more creative:
Each day, families and friends gather for Iftaar, a meal at sundown when they break their fast.
People who are unwell, children, and sometimes athletes, are exempt from fasting.
SEE ALSO:
Many observing Ramadan wished people joy and happiness for the period, which aims to be a time of reflection to enable people to work towards personal and spiritual improvement.
Some tweeters were upset that One Direction's Zayn Malik, who was recently named as one of the 500 most influential Muslims in the world, hadn't tweeted about Ramadan, and urged the star to share his wishes:
10 Common Foods During Ramadan
Dates(01 of10)
Because the Prophet Muhammad used to eat dates to break his fast, Muslims often eat them to break their fast as well, says Salima Jivraj, founder of Halal Foodie, a Toronto-based community site for foodies. "These tiny fruits are packed with nutrition, which make them ideal as a fast opener. You can eat them fresh, dried or stuffed with nuts." (credit:Alamy)
Flatbread (02 of10)
Flatbread is also popular and ranges in variety from Middle Eastern pitas, Indian rotis and parathas, Pakistani naan and Malaysian roti canai. (credit:Alamy)
Harira Soup(03 of10)
Easy-to-make soups are also a good way to get the much-needed nutritional benefits of vegetables, meats and grains. Harira soup or stew is a common Moroccan dish for Ramadan. (credit:Alamy)
Fruits (04 of10)
Besides dates, any fruit is a great option for breaking a fast, Jivraj says. A popular South Asian dish is fruit chaat, which is essentially a spiced fruit salad. "Eating plain hydrating fruits like watermelon and cantaloupe are also really beneficial during long summer fasts." (credit:Alamy)
Tabbouleh(05 of10)
Tabbouleh, a finely chopped parsley, tomato and onion salad, is light, nutritious and popular in Arab culture. (credit:Alamy)
Sawine(06 of10)
Sawine is a common dessert eaten during Ramadan. This sweet Trinidadian-style vermicelli dish is made with milk and often nuts. (credit:Nisha Emery/Pinterest )
Fritters (07 of10)
Deep-fried fritters are also popular, and again, range from country to country. Pakoras (pictured here) are popular in South Asia, while pisang goreng, or banana fritters, are found in Indonesian cuisine. (credit:Alamy)
Dips(08 of10)
Hummus is popular in Middle Eastern culture and doesn't contain cholesterol or saturated fats. (credit:Shutterstock)
Drinks(09 of10)
Falooda is possibly the most common Ramadan drink for South Asians. It's made with rooh afza (a type of non-alcoholic concentrated rose syrup) mixed in ice water. It can also be topped with tapioca or jelly to create the perfect summer drink. (credit:Alamy)
Other Savoury Foods (10 of10)
Besides fritters, other savory foods include the ever-popular samosa and even bite-sized spring rolls. (credit:Shutterstock)
The East London Mosque put together the times below for Muslims fasting London. It has also supplied versions for other areas in the country. ‘Fajr’ refers to the first prayers at dawn, Zuhr is noon prayers, Asr is afternoon worship, Maghrib for evening and Isha for nighttime.
Ramadan 2015 around the world
(01 of26)
A Muslim man reads the Quran during the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan at a Mosque on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, June 18,2015. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn till dusk. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of26)
Indonesian Muslim men take a nap as they wait for the time to break during the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan at a Mosque on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, June 18, 2015. During Ramadan, the holiest month in Islamic calendar, Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn till dusk. (AP Photo/Tatan Syuflana) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(03 of26)
A migrant prays on the rocky beach at the Franco-Italian border in Ventimiglia, Italy, during the holy month of Ramadan Thursday, June 18, 2015. So far this year, around 100,000 migrants have entered Europe via Italy and Greece and riot police have forcibly removed dozens from the French-Italian border. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of26)
A Chinese Hui Muslim man sits near the national flags stick on a motorbike parked at the Nuijie Mosque on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Beijing, China, Thursday, June 18, 2015. Muslims throughout the world mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of26)
Chinese Muslims offer prayers as a worshipper, bottom, prepares to leave the worship hall on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the Niujie Mosque, the oldest and largest mosque in Beijing, China, Thursday, June 18, 2015. Muslims throughout the world mark the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of26)
In this Wednesday, June 17, 2015 photo, Palestinian children buy traditional Ramadan lanterns to celebrate the announcing of the holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(07 of26)
In this Wednesday, June 17, 2015 photo, Palestinian vendors decorate the market with lanterns and national flags celebrating the announcing of the holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(08 of26)
Bosnian Muslims offer a prayer during late night prayer for upcoming holy month of Ramadan, inside memorial room for Srebrenica massacre victims, at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(09 of26)
Bosnian Muslims offer a prayer during late night prayer for upcoming holy month of Ramadan, inside memorial room for Srebrenica massacre victims, at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(10 of26)
Bosnian Muslim women offer a prayer during late night prayer for upcoming holy month of Ramadan, inside memorial room for Srebrenica massacre victims, at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(11 of26)
Bosnian Muslims offer a prayer during late night prayer for upcoming holy month of Ramadan, inside memorial room for Srebrenica massacre victims, at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(12 of26)
A Bosnian Muslim woman offers a prayer during late night prayer for upcoming holy month of Ramadan, inside memorial room for Srebrenica massacre victims, at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(13 of26)
A migrant reads the holy Coran on the rocky beach at the Franco-Italian border in Ventimiglia, Italy, during the holy month of Ramadan, Thursday, June 18, 2015. European Union nations failed to bridge differences Tuesday over an emergency plan to share the burden of the thousands of refugees crossing the Mediterranean Sea, while on the French-Italian border, police in riot gear forcibly removed dozens of migrants. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(14 of26)
FILE - In this Tuesday, July 16, 2013 file photo, a Muslim newly wed couple prepares to pose for wedding photos at Niujie Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Beijing. Muslim scholars say itâs not enough to just avoid food and drinks during the day in Ramadan, though. Spouses must abstain for sexual intercourse during the day, and Muslims should not be cursing, fighting or gossiping. (AP Photo/Andy Wong, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(15 of26)
Bosnian Muslims prepare for late night prayer at the memorial center Potocari, near Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo on Wednesday, June, 17, 2015. Family members of the Srebrenica victims killed in July, 1995, will mark the first night of Ramadan at the memorial center Potocari, in front of the graves of killed Muslims from this small Bosnian town. Ramadan celebrations in Srebrenica are unlike anywhere else in the world. This is the only place where the living join the dead in prayer. Emotional evening ahead of first day of Ramadan gathers all Muslim returnees at the graveyard, paying respects to their dearest as the fasting begins. (AP Photo/Amel Emric) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(16 of26)
People shop around the iconic Spice Bazaar, in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Turkey, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday June 18, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(17 of26)
Muslims pray in the iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Turkey, late Wednesday, June 17, 2015, during the first 'taraweeh', nightly prayer of the month of Ramadan. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday June 18, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(18 of26)
FILE - In this Monday, Aug. 24, 2009 file photo, the moon is seen over the Jamia mosque on the second day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, in Jammu, India. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday, June 18, 2015 a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. (AP Photo/Channi Anand, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(19 of26)
Muslims pray in the iconic Sultan Ahmed Mosque, better known as the Blue Mosque, in the historic Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, Turkey, late Wednesday, June 17, 2015, during the first 'taraweeh', nightly prayer of the month of Ramadan. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday June 18, a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. Muslims follow a lunar calendar and a moon-sighting methodology that can lead to different countries declaring the start of Ramadan a day or two apart. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(20 of26)
FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 3, 2005 file photo, Bosnian Muslim imam Idriz Halilovic, 23, calls noon prayer from atop the White Mosque, ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, in Srebrenica, northeast of the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo. Millions of Muslims around the world will mark the start of Ramadan on Thursday, June 18, 2015 a month of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. (AP Photo/Amel Emric, File) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(21 of26)
Filipino Muslims take part in prayers at the Golden Mosque in Manila on June 18, 2015 on the first day of Islam's holy month of Ramadan. More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the holy month which begins this week. AFP PHOTO / Jay DIRECTO (Photo credit should read JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JAY DIRECTO via Getty Images)
(22 of26)
ZONGULDAK, TURKEY - JUNE 18: Coal miners pray before they eat this year's first 'Suhoor', the meal consumed early in the morning by Muslims before fasting, on the first day of Islamic holy month of Ramadan at a coal mine in Kilimli district of Zonguldak north of Turkey on June 18, 2015. (Photo by Ferdi Akilli/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
(23 of26)
Afghan children study the Quran during first day of the month of Ramadan at a mosque in Jalalabad on June 18, 2015, Islam's holy month of Ramadan, which is calculated on the sighting of the new moon, will begin on June 18 in Afghanistan. Muslims all over the world fast from dawn until dusk and dates are usually eaten to break the fast. AFP PHOTO / Noorullah Shirzada (Photo credit should read Noorullah Shirzada/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NOORULLAH SHIRZADA via Getty Images)
(24 of26)
A Chinese Muslim offers prayers on the first day of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month, at a mosque in Beijing on June 18, 2015. China has banned civil servants, students and teachers in its mainly Muslim Xinjiang region from fasting during Ramadan and ordered restaurants to stay open, official websites showed as the holy month began on June 18. AFP PHOTO / GREG BAKER (Photo credit should read GREG BAKER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:GREG BAKER via Getty Images)
(25 of26)
Iraqi Muslim men gather, on the roof of Imam Ali Mosque, waiting to see the crescent moon marking the beginning of Ramadan, at sunset in Basra, Iraq, Wednesday, June 17, 2015. Ramadan starts the day after the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning of a new lunar month. (AP Photo/ Nabil al-Jurani) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(26 of26)
Filipino Muslims take part in prayers at the Golden Mosque in Manila on June 18, 2015 on the first day of Islam's holy month of Ramadan. More than 1.5 billion Muslims around the world will mark the holy month which begins this week. AFP PHOTO / Jay DIRECTO (Photo credit should read JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JAY DIRECTO via Getty Images)