Ramadan from around the world

Indian Muslim students offer 'Dua' prayers in their class room during the holy month of Ramadan at Madrasatur-Rashaad religious school in Hyderabad on July 17, 2013. As well as abstinence and fasting during Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to pray and read the Quran during Islam's holiest month. AFP PHOTO / Noah SEELAM

An Indian Muslim girl offers Dua prayers in the class room during the holy month of Ramadan at Madrasatur-Rashaad religious school in Hyderabad on July 17, 2013. Noah Seelam / AFP

Two soldiers sit on a military vehicle as they read the Koran while fasting during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Sanaa, Yemen on July 18, 2013. Mohamed al-Sayaghi / Reuters

Afghan men break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan at the Hazrat-e Ali shrine in Mazar-i Sharif in northern of Afghanistan on July 17, 2013. Farshad Usyan / AFP

Indian Muslims offer Friday prayers during the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, as traffic drives past in New Delhi on July 19, 2013. Manan Vatsyayana / AFP

Muslim devotees wait to break their fast as free meals are provided free by a mosque in Banda Aceh, Indonesia on July 16, 2013. Heri Juanda / AP Photo

Indian Muslims perform ablution before offering prayers at a mosque during the month of Ramadan in Kolkata, India on July 19, 2013. Bikas Das / AP Photo

An Indian worker makes vermicelli inside a cottage factory in Lucknow, India on July 16, 2013. Rajesh Kumar Singh / AP Photo

A man offers evening prayers on a hilltop overlooking Kabul on July 17, 2013. Omar Sobhani / Reuters

Sunlight shines through a window as a man reads the Quran while waiting to break his fast at a mosque in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia. Gembong Nusantara / AP Photo

The holy month of Ramadan on the Islamic calendar is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement and a renewed commitment to worship. Throughout the world, Muslims observe Ramadan as a month of fasting during daylight hours and refrain from food, drink and smoking. During their daily fast, Muslims increase prayer time and devote their efforts to the recitation of the Qur'an. Here is a selection of images of the Holy month of Ramadan from around the world.