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 Muslim holiday of Ramadan starts tonight, Feb. 28, and lasts until March 29. The monthlong observance of Ramadan is a period of introspection, communal prayer and reading the Qurʾān. According to Islam, those who observe the holy month of Ramadan with fasting, prayer and faithful intention are forgiven by God for their past sins.

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.