Holy month of Ramadan kicks off in much of Asia

A time of fasting and prayers: An Indonesian woman sitting with a girl as they attend the evening mass prayers called ‘terawih’ on the first night of Ramadan at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. — Reuters

THE Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when the faithful fast from dawn to dusk, began at sunrise yesterday in much of Asia, a day after many Muslims in the Middle East began fasting.

In the Muslim lunar calendar, months begin only when the new moon is sighted, which can lead to variations of a day or two.