Call for prayer in Dubai. Hundreds of men praying in the streets outside packed mosques.


Ramadan is a month of abstinence for Muslims and observing it forms one of the pillars of the Islamic faith. It is a time for reflection and meditation and many Muslims spend more time at prayer during Ramadan. To observe Ramadan, a Muslim will "fast" from before dawnbreak until sunset. This means they will not drink, eat, smoke or have sexual relations during these daylight hours. It is believed that fasting will teach a Muslim modesty and sympathy for those less fortunate and it is a very spiritual experience for them. When performing salat at the mosque, worshippers are aligned in parallel rows behind the prayer leader (imam), who directs them through the rak'as (prescribed postures and recitations). Islamic prayer begins in a standing position and moves through several simple postures until the supplicant is kneeling. ( has an illustrated guide to the rak'as, with an emphasis on the health benefits of the postures.) Specified recitations are said in each posture.


Size: 5020px × 3347px
Location: Dubai United Arab Emirates
Photo credit: © Leila Cutler / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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