Festive Ramadan nights prove to be a respite for many Tunisians, especially as the country faces economic challenges. The capital's old alleys features a mix of light displays, music, and dance - all with the goal of boosting commercial activity and showcasing the city's historic landmarks.

The popular children festival of Gargee'an, celebrated in the Gulf and southern Iraq during Ramadan, is an opportunity for Iraqis of African descent to keep traditional beats and attire alive.

The price of staple foods like rice, onions and oil is rising in Senegal - leaving Muslim families who are celebrating Ramadan relying on charity.

Many Sudanese are cutting down on groceries for Ramadan feasts this year as acute inflation blunts the impact of a donor-funded scheme to pay most citizens a basic monthly income.

Madagascar is facing a second deadly wave of Covid-19, as the South African variant spreads across the island nation. In the past month, almost 13,000 infections and 250 deaths have been recorded, according to official figures that likely represent a vast underestimate. The situation is spiralling out of control and has been worsened by shortages of oxygen and medicine, with hospitals overwhelmed. Meanwhile, the authorities are downplaying the gravity of the situation. The first vaccines are due to arrive at the end of the week in Madagascar. Our correspondent Gaëlle Borgia reports.

The Senegalese Muslim community start the month of Ramadan in solidarity and sharing. At the Massalikul Jinaan mosque in Dakar, one of the largest in West Africa, hundreds of meals consisting of bread, dates and rice, are distributed at dusk by "Baye Fall", a branch of the Mouride brotherhood whose members are distinguished by their "dreadlocks" hairstyles, their colourful accoutrements and their devotion.

Every spring, roses bloom in the western Saudi city of Taif, turning pockets of the kingdom’s vast desert landscape a vivid and fragrant pink. In April, they are harvested for the essential oil used to cleanse the outer walls of the sacred Kaaba, the cubic structure in the holy city of Mecca towards which Muslims around the world pray. This year, the harvest falls during the holy fasting month of Ramadan, which observant Muslims devote to prayer and reflection.

Designer Rana Bacaloni says the arts products and decorations she creates aim to help Muslim Americans feel they "belong" in the US during the Muslim holiday Ramadan. Jomana Siddiqui, an influencer and creator of ModernEID, says she seeks to create products "her generation" can use.

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.

Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self-improvement, and heightened devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into the teachings of Islam and here are seven important of Ramadan in Islam.

Due to the global coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Ramadan is an unusual one for the Muslim community who are used to gathering together to pray and share meals as a community. Mosques around the world, including the holy sites in Mecca and Medina, have also been closed. These are a few of the reasons why this year's Ramadan is looking very different for adherents Islam around the world.⁣

Africa's measures to slow down COVID-19 have changed how the holy month of Ramadan is observed, restricting Muslims to their homes. Previously, followers of Islam prayed in mosques and broke the daily fast together.