The start of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim calendar, is traditionally determined by the sighting of a new crescent moon, often dividing rival Islamic countries over the exact date.

Across much of the Muslim world, Ramadan began on Thursday, although Libya kicked off the festivities on Wednesday, the same day as Nigeria. In Pakistan the fasting month starts on Friday.

Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink, smoking and other activities from dawn until dusk. The breaking of the fast at sunset is called "Iftar", and "suhur," is the last meal of the day before sunrise.

In Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, Ramadan began under the shadow of the nation's latest disaster after a massive 8.4-magnitude quake struck, killing at least 10 people.

Muslim Woman Shopping for Iftar

Muslims in some quake-hit areas were unable to attend their regular evening prayers as emergency teams rushed to assess the extent of the damage.

Ramadan began in Afghanistan on Thursday after confusion the day before that led some to wake up in the pre-dawn hours for a meal -- only to find out they had to wait one more day to begin festivities.

Top clerics in Indian Kashmir said they would pray for peace and reconciliation in the divided Himalayan region, claimed in part by Pakistan.

In the predominantly Catholic Philippines, separatist Muslim rebels said they were ready to resume stalled peace talks with the government but also warned they were prepared for "martyrdom."

In Thailand, the army lifted a night curfew meant to smother a separatist insurgency in Muslim provinces, where people also began fasting on Thursday.

In Cairo, a shopping frenzy began weeks ago despite soaring prices.

Traffic police in the teeming Egyptian capital of 18 million have been banned from taking time off, with extra wardens deployed to control pre-iftar accidents as people race home to break the fast.

Gaza residents spending their first Ramadan under the democratically elected Hamas, but are bracing for clashes after Fatah and other Palestinian groups called for sunset street prayers despite a Hamas ban.

But we hope for a few weeks of peace and calm.

Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of Islam is preparing to receive around one million pilgrims expected to perform the "umrah" or smaller pilgrimage to Mecca.