What to know about Hajj rites

Muslims around the world have began celebrating Eid al-Fitr, a normally festive holiday, spoilt by stay-at-home orders and fears of fresh coronavirus outbreaks. DW looks at how countries have altered their plans.

The effective cancellation of this year's hajj pilgrimage due to COVID-19 has sparked grief among pilgrims, upending lifelong dreams. But it is also a blow to Saudis dependent on the trade it brings.

Mask-clad Muslim pilgrims begin the annual hajj, dramatically downsized this year as the Saudi hosts strive to prevent a coronavirus outbreak during the five-day pilgrimage. The hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam and a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lifetime, is usually one of the world's largest religious gatherings.

Only a small number of faithful are taking part in this year's hajj, usually one of the biggest religious gatherings in the world. Authorities have dramatically downsized the pilgrimage to prevent fresh virus outbreaks.

When Osama Abu El Hosna found himself amidst volleys of bullets shot in Vienna, he didn't hesitate to risk his life to safe others. Now, the 23-year-old fast food restaurant employee from Gaza, who has experienced discrimination in his new home of Austria, is being celebrated as the Muslim antipode to the terrorist who killed four people with a Klashnikov.

Bangladesh opens its first Islamic school for transgender worshippers, with clerics calling it a first step towards integrating the marginalised group into society. The madrasa is one of a series of recent moves in Bangladesh to make life easier for the Muslim-majority nation's up to 1.5 million transgender people.

As a sexual minority within a conservative religion, LGBT Muslims in South Asia are supporting each other on social media platforms in a climate of fear and discrimination.

Recent surveys indicate strongly that across the Middle East and Iran, almost half the population is loosening their ties to Islam. Governments have reacted differently to calls for reforms of institutional religion.

Sri Lankan Muslims say that a government move to prevent Muslim women from wearing a burqa or niqab is a new act of discrimination against their community, which accounts for 10 percent of the 21 million, Buddhist-majority population.

The use of hijaab by female students in schools founded by Christian mission is currently causing controversy in one of Nigeria's states. Muslim groups in Kwara State want the use of hijaab in all public schools, including those of missionary origins.

Facebook has said it blocked a group of Chinese hackers that used the platform to target Uyghur activists living abroad and compromise their security by using surveillance software.

Surging coronavirus cases in many parts of the world overshadow the start of the holy month of Ramadan. From Saudi Arabia to Turkey, many Muslims around the world started the month of prayer and fasting after religious leaders confirmed it would begin on Tuesday, with many countries facing virus restrictions.