Muslims welcome the holy month of Ramadan with a mix of joy and deep concern

By The Associated Press

Muslims around the world are welcoming the arrival of Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer, charity and feasts. But as they savor 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. Many are also struggling to buy food as inflation remains high in many countries and has worsened in some.