The holy month of Ramadan has begun with thousands of Muslims across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough taking part. It is the most important time in the Islamic calendar where Muslims fast and refrain from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is set to begin. Here's what you need to know about the period and how it's observed.

Fasting begins Saturday, when Muslims will refrain from eating or drinking anything from dawn to sunset for the month. It's a time of increased worship, charity, and good deeds.

Ramadan is not uniformly observed globally — the start date can vary by country or even be different mosque to mosque in the same city for a variety of reasons. But it all starts with a sighting of the crescent moon.

Muslims prepare for Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and reflection, starting at sunset Friday and ending March 30. Follow Newsweek's live blog.