THE majority of Muslims in East Lancashire begin fasting today for the holy month of Ramadan.

Thousands of people in the area and millions across the world will fast for up to 30 days.

During Ramadan Muslims will not eat or drink from dawn to dusk in a bid to build discipline, grow spiritually and reflect on those less fortunate in the world.

Today's fast will start from around 4.45am and ends around 7.30pm.

Over the course of the month each fast will become shorter as the sun sets earlier.

However the earliest time for Muslims to eat this year will be around 6.30pm.

Moulana Hanif Dudhwala, of Troy Street Mosque, Blackburn, said: "Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam, an essential part of the religion.

"It is a month when Muslims all over the world do not eat, drink, smoke, or have personal relations.

"We fast from dawn, which is a few hours before sunrise, all the way to sunset.

"Before dawn we wake up and eat a meal.

"Provided Muslims are able, healthy and are not travelling it is compulsory for us to fast.

"Muslims fast to fulfil an order of Allah, or God, and to give a person a chance to reflect.

"Fasting also gives Muslims a chance to understand what it is like for other people in the world where food isn't available in abundance.

"And it teaches discipline.

"It is a spiritual building of the inner soul."

Muslims will celebrate the festival of Eid at end of Ramadan, which is expected to be October 13.