Muslims gather at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney as Ramadan begins

Members of Australia's Muslim community have marked the start of Ramadan at the first prayer service, or 'Fagr', at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney.

Women pray at Lakemba Mosque. (SBS)

Members of Sydney's Muslim community gathered at Lakemba Mosque at 5.30am this morning for prayers.

The service, known as "Fagr," is the first of five during the day and marks the beginning of daily fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

People arrive at Lakemba Mosque in Sydney for 5.30 prayers to mark the beginning of Ramadan. Source: SBS News

Women make their way to a special prayer space reserved for Muslim women in Lakemba Mosque in Sydney. (SBS) Source: SBS

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of "reflection, resolution and regeneration" according to the Lebansese Muslim Association (LMA).

"It is a time when Muslims around the world reflect upon the wisdom and teachings of our faith and the responsibility that human beings have to one another, and to God," The LMA said. 

"It is a time when Muslims resolve to be better, to grow spritually, to become more steadfast in their worship and to increase their good deeds. It is a time of intense devotion and regeneration - a time when Muslims fast during the day and pray during the night."

Packed street in Lakemba (SBS) Source: SBS

Men enter Lakemba Mosque for 5.30 prayers. (SBS) Source: SBS

There are about 1.6 billion Muslims across the world. For them, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year within Islam and the month in which the Quran was revealed to the prophet Muhammad.

Muslim women walk upstairs to Lakemba Mosque prayer room. (SBS) Source: SBS

People leave shoes at the door as a sign of reverence and respect. (SBS) Source: SBS

Women pray at the start of Ramadan. (SBS) Source: SBS

Men sit below and listen to ancient prayers. (SBS) Source: SBS

Ramadan is also a time of community - when families gather, meals are shared and people worship collectively.

Every country - and even every city - in the world has its own unique Ramadan timetable based on what time the sun rises and sets.

For Sydney's Muslim community, the fast will last for just 11 hours and 24 minutes - from sunrise at 5.29am to sunset at 16.53pm - shorter than anywhere else on the planet.

In Iceland and Finland, the fasting can last for more than 21 hours.

People leave Lakemba Mosque to begin their day of fasting and reflection. (SBS) Source: SBS

The end of morning prayers and the beginning of Ramadan in Sydney. (SBS) Source: SBS