Filipino Muslims begin month-long Ramadan with early morning prayers

Filipino Muslims began their day with prayers at past 4 a.m. Thursday to mark the start of Ramadan, Islam's month-long religious tradition of prayers and fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to prophet Muhammad.

Muslims all over the world recognize Ramadan as one of the four pillars of Islam, a season of fasting and prayers observed by the Muslim faithful, except those with illnesses, aged, pregnant women, and those with menstruation.

They fast and pray from dawn to dusk, but most eat a full meal early in the morning before the day's prayers.

A report on Unang Balita said that during each of Ramadan days, men eat first and then wash themselves clean before praying in the mosque (masjid).

Aside from fasting and prayers, Muslims make extra efforts to help others in need during Ramadan, which is also marked by the daily reading of the Quran.

Muslims consider Ramadan as Allah's commandment to cleanse themselves from sin through fasting and abstinence from sex during the whole ninth month of the Islamic calendar. —LBG, GMA News