During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims endure a period of daily fasting - the biggest act of religious observance of its kind. 

For the world's 1.6bn Muslims, including Britain's 2.8 million-strong Muslim community, the annual event represents a time to fast and devote a particular focus to prayer, purification and charitable acts. 

This year Ramadan begins on Friday, May 26 and ends on Saturday, June 24. 

What is Ramadan?

During the holy month, Muslims do not let food or drink pass their lips from dawn to dusk.

As the holiest month of the year, it is a crucial period for practising Muslims and underpins some of the religion's core values, such as prayer and giving to charity.

The Muslim calendar operates on a lunar system, particularly the crescent moon. Ramadan is the name of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

Why is Ramadan holy?

Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed received a series of revelations from God which combined to form the Koran. They believe the Koran was revealed during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Ramadan. Many Muslims will try and recite as much of the Koran as they can during Ramadan.

Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?

Fasting (sawm in Arabic), is one of the five key pillars underpinning the Islamic faith. The others are prayer (salat), giving a percentage of your salary to charity (zakat), making the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and, of course, a belief in the Muslim faith (shahadah).

Fasting is seen as a way to purify spiritually as well as physically - a time to detach from material pleasures and be closer to God. The act of fasting is also believed to increase Muslims' piety, reminding them that others are less fortunate than themselves.

Fasting involves abstaining from all food, drink, smoking and having sex from sunrise to sunset. Muslims will wake up before sunrise for morning prayer and to eat before the day's fast begins. Most will break their fast alongside their families in the evening with a communal “Iftar” meal, typically often started with dates.

Do all Muslims have to fast?

Fit and able adults are expected to fast, but children and elderly people are exempt. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, anyone who is sick and anyone travelling on a journey are also exempt. 

Women who are on their periods are not expected to fast but make up the missed days at a later date. 

What happens when Ramadan ends?

The end of the fasting month is marked with a big feast, the exchanging of gifts and celebrations, known as "Eid-ul-Fitr".