The start of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia — in pictures

Muslim worshippers gather at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Worshippers around the Kaaba during Ramadan as captured from the Clock Towers complex in Makkah. All photos: AFP

The Grand Mosque in Makkah as seen from the Clock Towers complex

A view of the city of Makkah

Muslim worshippers perform sunset prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah as they mark the end of the first day of Ramadan.

Muslim worshippers sit at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of the holy month

Muslims wait to pray as cleaning staff disinfect the grounds at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

A child is carried on the shoulders of a worshipper at the Grand Mosque in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan

Muslim worshippers gather before the Kaaba, Islam's holiest shrine, at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Worshippers read the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Ramadan began on Thursday in Saudi Arabia

A man carries a child at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Observing Ramadan is one of the five holy pillars of Islam and is mandatory for all Muslims in good health

This year, much of the region will be fasting for about 14 hours a day

A man reads the Quran at the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Muslim pilgrims performing Umrah walk between the Marwa and Safa hills in Makkah on the first day of Ramadan

A Muslim worshipper reads the Quran on the first day of the holy month

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