THE TELEGRAPH: Over a billion Muslims around the world began observing the holy month of Ramadan on Wednesday. The start of Ramadan changes every year, based on the sighting of the new moon at the start of the lunar month. The calculation can be a show of regional clout, with senior clerics across the conflicted Mideast and the two main sects of Islam often disagreeing. This year, most Sunni Muslims began fasting on Wednesday, while Shiite Muslims in Iran, Iraq and Oman are to begin observances on Thursday
