Ramadan is back in the headlines as Gaza, Afghanistan, and Jerusalem tensions shape fasting, prayer, and what people can do this month. Muslim communities worldwide observe it; the calendar marks a period of reflection and unity.
Muslim communities have been observing Eid al-Fitr this March, marking the end of Ramadan with prayers, family gatherings and traditional customs. Celebrations have been shadowed by the Iran war and heightened anti-Muslim rhetoric and immigration fears in the United States. In Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt routine homecoming and festive practices are continuing.
As of late March 2026, Pakistan and Afghanistan have resumed military operations following a temporary ceasefire during Eid al-Fitr, brokered by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Qatar. The conflict escalated after a Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center killed over 400 people, which Pakistan denies, claiming it targeted militant sites. Cross-border shelling continues, with civilian casualties and displacement mounting.