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A Palestinian reads from the Quran during the dawn prayer on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan at a mosque in the West Bank city of Jenin, Friday, July 20, 2012.

Some Indonesian Muslims are confounded, if not bewildered, by the inability of their religious leaders and the government to agree on something as basic as the start and end of Ramadan.

The Islamic principle seems to be simple enough, look for the new moon but if you cannot see it then assume previous month to be of 30 days, but Muslims have managed to make it a complicated affair.

As in 1980, this summer’s London Olympics coincide with Ramadan, when Muslims are required to abstain from food, drink and sex for much of the day.

"As the holy Islamic month of Ramadan begins, I want to take this opportunity to send my warmest wishes to Muslims in Britain and across the world," said UK Prime Minister David Cameron.

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims around the globe refrain during the day from eating and drinking, begins July 20.

Muslims have begun fasting for the start of the Ramadan in Malaysia & elsewhere around Asia, but the somber occasion was marred in Thailand by 2 bomb blasts that killed 1 person and injured 7.

Obama has greeted Muslims around the world on the advent of the holy month of Ramadan and expressed support for people of the Middle East and North Africa struggling for their democratic rights.

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, which also include declaration of devotion to God, five daily prayers, giving to charity, and pilgrimage to Mecca.

The holy month may be more difficult than usual for Muslims because of the season, but uncertainty in the governments of some nations will likely add to the challenge.