Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. Saudi Authorities allowed for limit number of worshipers to enter the Grand mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP
Worshipers perform Isha prayer while keeping distance between them next to the Kaaba in Mecca's Grand Mosque, Islam's holiest site. Saudi Authorities allowed for limit number of worshipers to enter the Grand mosque to perform prayers during the Islamic holy fasting month of Ramadan, amid unprecedented bans on family gatherings and mass prayers due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. AFP
Sheikh Junayd Ahmad leads livestreamed Taraweeh evening prayers, normally bringing a crowd of over a thousand, at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound on the first day of Ramadan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Redmond, Washington, U.S. REUTERS
Sheikh Junayd Ahmad leads livestreamed Taraweeh evening prayers, normally bringing a crowd of over a thousand, at the Muslim Association of Puget Sound on the first day of Ramadan during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Redmond, Washington, U.S. REUTERS
Imam Abdelghani Benyahya arrives to perform the afternoon call to prayer alone during the holiday of Ramadan at the Muslim Center of New York during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S. REUTERS
Imam Abdelghani Benyahya arrives to perform the afternoon call to prayer alone during the holiday of Ramadan at the Muslim Center of New York during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the Queens borough of New York City, U.S. REUTERS
A Palestinian family wearing protective masks walks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in an empty alley in the Old City of Jerusalem amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
A Palestinian family wearing protective masks walks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in an empty alley in the Old City of Jerusalem amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP
Sudanese men wait to break their daytime fast during the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan, amid a curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a street in the capital of Khartoum, Sudan. AP
Sudanese men wait to break their daytime fast during the Holy Islamic month of Ramadan, amid a curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic, in a street in the capital of Khartoum, Sudan. AP
Volunteers of the French Islamic Relief prepare hundreds of meals to offer and distribute to Muslim poor people during the month of Ramadan, in Orly, south of Paris. AFP
Volunteers of the French Islamic Relief prepare hundreds of meals to offer and distribute to Muslim poor people during the month of Ramadan, in Orly, south of Paris. AFP
A woman sells dates outside a mosque in Williamsville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the holy month of Muslim Ramadan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying at night and abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the revelation of the first verse of the Qur'an is believed to have taken place during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman sells dates outside a mosque in Williamsville, Abidjan, Ivory Coast, during the holy month of Muslim Ramadan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying at night and abstaining from eating, drinking and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and the revelation of the first verse of the Qur'an is believed to have taken place during its last 10 nights. EPA
Palestinians gather to get soup offered for free during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
Palestinians gather to get soup offered for free during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus carries her purchases as she leaves a store which sells dates, a favorite fruit for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in southern Tehran, Iran. In Iran, the country that is hit worst in the Middle East by the coronavirus, all religious gathering, congregational prayers and communal Iftar servings, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast, remain forbidden in the Ramadan and also holy shrines and religious centers also continue to be closed until at least May 4. AP
A woman wearing a protective face mask and gloves to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus carries her purchases as she leaves a store which sells dates, a favorite fruit for the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in southern Tehran, Iran. In Iran, the country that is hit worst in the Middle East by the coronavirus, all religious gathering, congregational prayers and communal Iftar servings, a meal eaten at sunset to break the fast, remain forbidden in the Ramadan and also holy shrines and religious centers also continue to be closed until at least May 4. AP
A volunteer distributing water, food and juice, signals to fasting drivers on a road in Egypt's Menofia governorate, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AFP
A volunteer distributing water, food and juice, signals to fasting drivers on a road in Egypt's Menofia governorate, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. AFP
In this aerial photo from a drone, the illuminated roads and square around Istanbul's famous Galata Tower are seen empty on the final day of a four-day lockdown across Istanbul, in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkeys Mosques remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar under lockdown. As of April 26, according to the Health Ministry, Turkey has 2,805 Coronavirus related deaths and confirmed cases have risen to 110,130. Despite the rising numbers Turkey has avoided a full lockdown and continues to implement short lockdowns and constant revisions of current restrictions. The interior ministry continues restrictions on travel between 31 cities, a curfew continues to be in place for anyone over the age of 65 and under 20, schools, cafes, bars and non-essential businesses remain closed. Getty
In this aerial photo from a drone, the illuminated roads and square around Istanbul's famous Galata Tower are seen empty on the final day of a four-day lockdown across Istanbul, in Istanbul, Turkey. Turkeys Mosques remain closed due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus as Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar under lockdown. As of April 26, according to the Health Ministry, Turkey has 2,805 Coronavirus related deaths and confirmed cases have risen to 110,130. Despite the rising numbers Turkey has avoided a full lockdown and continues to implement short lockdowns and constant revisions of current restrictions. The interior ministry continues restrictions on travel between 31 cities, a curfew continues to be in place for anyone over the age of 65 and under 20, schools, cafes, bars and non-essential businesses remain closed. Getty
A mother carries her baby with face shield at a hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
A mother carries her baby with face shield at a hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
People line up to receive free food as the time to break the fast approaches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 disease pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
People line up to receive free food as the time to break the fast approaches during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan amid lockdown of the Punjab province due to the ongoing coronavirus COVID-19 disease pandemic in Islamabad, Pakistan. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A woman prays at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, amid a lockdown due the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the ni?ght time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic? calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights EPA
A woman prays at a mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Herat, Afghanistan, amid a lockdown due the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the ni?ght time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic? calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights EPA
A Kashmiri Muslim man prays on a hill on the third day of fasting month of Ramadan on outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The religious authorities in Kashmir have urged people to pray the congregational Taravih (extended night prayers) and mandatory daily prayers at home to stop the spread of coronavirus in the region. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. EPA
A Kashmiri Muslim man prays on a hill on the third day of fasting month of Ramadan on outskirts of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir. The religious authorities in Kashmir have urged people to pray the congregational Taravih (extended night prayers) and mandatory daily prayers at home to stop the spread of coronavirus in the region. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. EPA
A street vendor wears her face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus as she sells food for iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
A street vendor wears her face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus as she sells food for iftar, the breaking of the Ramadan fast, in Tangerang, Indonesia. The world's Muslims have begun Ramadan with dawn-to-dusk fasting amid restrictions imposed to slow the pandemic that left many confined to their homes and public venues like parks, malls and even mosques are shuttered. AP
An Algerian shopkeeper with a face mask sells pastry before Iftar time in an Arabic market in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa, adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
An Algerian shopkeeper with a face mask sells pastry before Iftar time in an Arabic market in Porte de Montreuil area in Paris, France. The majority of the residents around Porte de Montreuil area in Paris are Arab Muslims from North Africa, adherents of Islam across France were unable to take part in the habitual collective prayers this year, as mosques have closed down due to the ongoing pandemic of the COVID-19 disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and engaging in sexual acts between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in the Koran occurred during its last 10 nights. EPA
A Sri Lankan Muslim Moulavi prays at the almost deserted Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan during an island-wide curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombo , Sri Lanka. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
A Sri Lankan Muslim Moulavi prays at the almost deserted Mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan during an island-wide curfew due to the coronavirus pandemic in Colombo , Sri Lanka. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
I man holding bread walks past a store mural, in Downtown Amman. Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the COVID-19 Coronavirus curfew, they are allowed outside their homes only between 08 AM and 06 PM. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
I man holding bread walks past a store mural, in Downtown Amman. Jordanians started the holy month fasting in the context of the COVID-19 Coronavirus curfew, they are allowed outside their homes only between 08 AM and 06 PM. Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan by praying during the night time and abstaining from eating, drinking, and sexual acts during the period between sunrise and sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and it is believed that the revelation of the first verse in Koran was during its last 10 nights. EPA
People shop at a food market on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat. AFP
People shop at a food market on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan in Thailand's southern province of Narathiwat. AFP
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
A migrant worker prays during the holy month of Ramadan inside his dormitory, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Singapore. REUTERS
A Muslim family pray inside their restaurant during the holy month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Selayang, Malaysia . REUTERS
A Muslim family pray inside their restaurant during the holy month of Ramadan, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Selayang, Malaysia . REUTERS

World

Ramadan around the world in photos: April 28

Images of an Islamic holy month like no other because of the coronavirus outbreak

The National

April 28, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

More Ramadan stories:

Shoppers don masks at supermarkets to stock up for holy month

My Ramadan: the dedicated doctor putting patients first in fight against Covid-19

When is the best time to exercise when fasting?

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

Specs

Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric

Range: Up to 610km

Power: 905hp

Torque: 985Nm

Price: From Dh439,000

Available: Now

Nancy 9 (Hassa Beek)

Nancy Ajram

(In2Musica)

While you're here

Racecard:
2.30pm: Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoun Emirates Breeders Society Challenge; Conditions (PA); Dh40,000; 1,600m
3pm: Handicap; Dh80,000; 1,800m
3.30pm: Jebel Ali Mile Prep Rated Conditions; Dh110,000; 1,600m
4pm: Handicap; Dh95,000; 1,950m
4.30pm: Maiden; Dh65,000; 1,400m
5pm: Handicap; Dh85,000; 1,200m

The biog

First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974  
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work

LAST-16 EUROPA LEAGUE FIXTURES

Wednesday (Kick-offs UAE)

FC Copenhagen (0) v Istanbul Basaksehir (1) 8.55pm

Shakhtar Donetsk (2) v Wolfsburg (1) 8.55pm

Inter Milan v Getafe (one leg only) 11pm

Manchester United (5) v LASK (0) 11pm 

Thursday

Bayer Leverkusen (3) v Rangers (1) 8.55pm

Sevilla v Roma  (one leg only)  8.55pm

FC Basel (3) v Eintracht Frankfurt (0) 11pm 

Wolves (1) Olympiakos (1) 11pm 

While you're here
The Specs:

The Specs:

Engine: 2.9-litre, V6 twin-turbo

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Power: 444bhp

Torque: 600Nm

Price: AED 356,580 incl VAT

On sale: now.

The specs

Engine: 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 715bhp

Torque: 900Nm

Price: Dh1,289,376

On sale: now

THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

Tom Fletcher on 'soft power'
While you're here
Results

5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson

6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar

7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer

8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi

 

While you're here
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
While you're here...
The Bio

Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”

Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”

Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”

Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”

World