Devotees mark the commencement of the holy month of Ramadan

Muslim devotees around the world prepare for the holy month of Ramadan in Malaysia, Pakistan, Palestine and Egypt among other countries. (Photo: AP)

Filipino Muslims pray as they observe on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan at dawn. (Photo: AP)

A woman buys traditional metal Ramadan lanterns, "Fanous Ramadan", a tradition in Egypt dating back to the Fatimid Caliphate to decorate homes, mosques, shops and streets during the holy month of Ramadan. (Photo: AP)

Workers decorate the seaside yard of a coffee at the main beach road, in preparations one day ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City. (Photo: AP)

Muslim women perform an evening prayer called 'tarawih' marking the first eve of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. (Photo: AP)

A member of the Malaysian Islamic authority performs the "Rukyah Hilal Syawal," the sighting of the new moon to determine the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AP)

People buy dates for the upcoming Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, where people refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from sunrise to sunset, in Karachi. (Photo: AP)

A 34-year-old clown Alaa Miqdad, performs for children at the main alley in front of their family houses to make the children happy, in preparations of one day ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, in Gaza City. (Photo: AP)