Those exempt from fasting include the sick or unwell, young children and in some cases athletes or sports stars.
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Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang of Malayasia opted not to fast during Ramadan at the London 2012 Olympics
Fasting ensures an uninterrupted time of deep reflection and enables participants to assess their shortcomings.
Within the belief, fasting is one of five pillars of Islam, alongside the testimony of faith (Shahada), prayer, giving (Sakat) and the pilgrimage of Mecca (Hajj).
Eid Al-Fitr 2014
(01 of06)
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A young Indian Muslim yawns during Eid al-Fitr prayers at the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(02 of06)
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A picture taken on July 29, 2014 shows graves (bottom) at the world's biggest cemeteries in the holy city of Najaf as Iraqi Shiites visit tombs of relatives during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations marking the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. AFP PHOTO / HAIDAR HAMDANI (Photo credit should read HAIDAR HAMDANI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:HAIDAR HAMDANI via Getty Images)
(03 of06)
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Indian Muslims offer prayers on Eid al-Fitr at the Feroz Shah Kotla Mosque in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(04 of06)
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Indian Muslims offer prayers at a mosque in the premises of the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. (AP Photo/Pawan Sharma) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(05 of06)
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Yemeni worshippers attend Eid al-Fitr prayers that mark the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Sanaa, Yemen, Monday, July 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(06 of06)
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A Chinese Muslim boy yawns during the Eid al-Fitr prayer in Beijing on July 29, 2014. Millions of Chinese Muslims are joining the faithful around the world in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. AFP PHOTO / WANG ZHAO (Photo credit should read WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WANG ZHAO via Getty Images)
During the Ramadan fast, there is also a restriction on drinking and having sex, coupled with an emphasis on giving back to the community.
When Ramadan meets its end Eid Al-Fitr begins, a festival that celebrates the conclusion of the Holy month.
The closing celebration includes thanksgiving, merriment, feasting and the exchange of gifts. It traditionally began upon the sighting of the new moon.
10 Common Foods During Ramadan
Dates(01 of10)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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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)
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Tabbouleh, a finely chopped parsley, tomato and onion salad, is light, nutritious and popular in Arab culture. (credit:Alamy)
Sawine(06 of10)
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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)
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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)
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)
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Besides fritters, other savory foods include the ever-popular samosa and even bite-sized spring rolls. (credit:Shutterstock)