The central courtyard of the Great Mosque of Mecca has been deserted as Muslims are forced to celebrate Ramadan in isolation amid unprecedented lockdown measures. Pictured, an aerial view shows the Great Mosque and the Mecca Tower in a deserted surrounding on the first day of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, in the Saudi holy city of Mecca.

Worshippers perform Taraweeh prayer at Kaaba in the Grand Mosque on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan during the outbreak of coronavirus a far cry from the huge crowds usually seen in the central courtyard, April, 2020. This year, millions will be praying from their homes around the world amid lockdown.

Pictured, Muslim worshippers gather around the cuboid Kaaba, during Ramadan in May 2019.

The usually jam-packed grand mosque is empty as Muslims stay indoors around the world amid strict lockdown measures because of the coronavirus pandemic.