World

Muslims in Jerusalem celebrate first day of Ramadan

Muslims in Jerusalem celebrated the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan with prayers and the exchange of traditional greetings.

The faithful gathered in the al-Aqsa mosque, Islam's third holiest site, to mark the start of the month-long fasting period, with worshippers also attending mosques around the city.

The first day of Ramadan is traditionally marked by a special prayer service, known as tarawih, which is held at mosques across the world.

The month is seen as a time of spiritual reflection and prayer, and is also marked by fasting from dawn to sunset. During the holy month, Muslims are expected to abstain from food, drink and sex.

In Jerusalem, the start of Ramadan was celebrated with joy and enthusiasm, with children taking part in traditional parades and dancing around the al-Aqsa mosque.

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Lion, said he was proud to welcome Muslims from around the world as they celebrated the start of the holy month.

“We are proud to be part of the long history of Jerusalem and to see the city filled with its faithful citizens, enjoying this special time of the year,” he said.

The start of Ramadan is a reminder of the importance of faith and shared values, and of the strong ties between Muslims and Jews in Jerusalem, the mayor added.

For the many pilgrims who have come to the city to celebrate the holy month, it is a chance to reconnect with their faith and with their community.

Ramadan is a time of reflection, prayer and fasting, and a reminder of the importance of coming together to celebrate our common humanity.