Muslim worshippers pray on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, Saturday March 1, 2025.

Ramadan comes at a time of massive change for many Muslims, including those in Gaza and Syria. CAIRO, Egypt — Observant Muslims the world over will soon be united in a ritual of daily fasting from dawn to sunset as the Islamic holy month of Ramadan starts.

Three months after Syria’s 14-year-old civil war ended, and as the holy month of Ramadan begins, euphoria is being replaced by anger at the continuing atrophying of the economy and at the apparent inability of the new government to reverse it.

Some restaurants and coffee shops in Syria were closed during the day Saturday while others opened as usual as observant Muslims began fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, the first since the fall of Assad family rule in the war-torn country.

The Assad dictatorship is out, but Syria’s economy is in chaos after a civil war and recent policy shifts. The situation is putting a damper on a typically festive season.

Some restaurants and coffee shops in Syria were closed during the day Saturday while others opened as usual as observant Muslims began fasting during the holy month of Ramadan, the first since the fall of Assad family rule in the war-torn country.

Have you heard of intermittent fasting, a new health trend that advises eating within eight or so hours and fasting the rest of the day? Interestingly, Muslims have been fasting for thousands of years.

We have now gotten to a point in Syria where even a cup of coffee may be too much of a hardship for someone to offer you.” AHLAM KASEM, a civil servant who was laid off, on the new government’s tight limits on daily bank withdrawals as Ramadan arrives.

Some restaurants and coffee shops in Syria were closed during the day as observant Muslims began fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Assad dictatorship is out, but Syria’s economy is in chaos after a civil war and recent policy shifts. The situation is putting a damper on a typically festive season.

Muslims in the Middle East are observing the holy month of Ramadan under exceptional circumstances. Ramadan is seen as a time of religious reflection and worship, charity, and community, as they fast from sunrise until sunset.

Karen Fisher, field researcher with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, shares stories of Ramadan at Zaatari — the world's largest Syrian refugee camp.