From Indonesia to Pakistan, Muslims in Asia welcome holy month of Ramadan with concern amid Israel-Gaza war, inflation

But as they savour the traditions of their own diverse communities – from holiday treats to evening diversions – the tribulations faced by fellow Muslims are never far from anyone’s mind. This year, war and starvation in the Gaza Strip casts an especially dark shadow on the festivities.

Many are also struggling to buy food as inflation remains high in many countries and has worsened in some.

Still, even Muslims who are struggling economically or otherwise look forward to what are widely seen as the true blessings of the holy month – prayer and reflection, nurtured by the day-long fast, and time spent with loved ones.

At sundown, many will break the fast with a date or two, as the Prophet Muhammad was said to have done, before attending evening prayers.

Then they will gather for iftar, a typically lavish feast shared with friends and family, and a festive atmosphere will prevail late into the night.

Muslims liven up their iftar spreads with their own local delicacies.

In Indonesia, with the world’s largest Muslim population, Ramadan rituals vary by region, reflecting the country’s rich and varied culture. Many celebrate with rendang – meat braised in coconut milk and local spices.

This year, it will be harder to come by, as the country grapples with soaring food prices because of worldwide inflation and a poor local rice harvest.

Sari Yanti, a mother of three, stood in a long line at one of several distribution points in the capital, Jakarta, to purchase state-subsidised rice and other staples, saying it had never been this bad. “Prices are going up nowadays – anything to do with cooking is rising,” she said.

Mosques and charities across the Muslim world organise free iftars for the poorest, and sometimes it’s the only meat they