Ramadan celebrations have started across the UK this week, with Muslims starting their first day of fasting on Thursday.
The religious festival marks the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar and is a time of worship, fasting, prayer, charity, community spirit and spiritual development.
Throughout the month, practising Muslims will be refraining from eating and drinking anything from dawn until sunset.
They will have a pre-fasting breakfast before sunrise (Suhoor) and a post-fasting dinner after sunset (Iftar).
The sacred month is especially important as it is one of the five pillars of Islam and allows Muslims to grow spiritually and build a stronger relationship with Allah (God).
Muslims are also encouraged to carry out as many good deeds as they can throughout this holy month, such as giving to charity or as simple as finishing a chapter of the Quran every day, as it is believed that they would be rewarded for their efforts many times over.
The holy month will then end with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr or the ‘Festival of Breaking the Fast’, which is due to take place on April 22.
According to the 2021 Census there are 1,318,755 Muslims living in London, making up 15% of the population.
We’ve taken a look at how Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr has been celebrated in London over the years.
5. A man enjoying a water pipe in 2004
A Muslim man smokes out of a water pipe in a coffee shop after a second day of fasting for Ramadan October 16, 2004 in London (Photo by Abid Katib/Getty Images) | Getty Images
6. Iftar at the London Muslim Islam Centre. August 2010
Muslim men eat during Iftar, the evening meal in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the London Muslim Centre on August 18, 2010 in London (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
7. Eid Al-Fitr celebrations at Regent’s Park. August 2012.
Young Muslim girls show their hands decorated with henna after attending prayers on Eid Al-Fitr at the Regent's Park Mosque in London on August 19, 2012. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Friday prayers on the Brune Estate on July 12, 2013
Muslims perform the Friday prayer during Ramadan outside the BBC Community Centre on the Brune Estate on July 12, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) | Getty Images