Hospitals in Qatar have been receiving dozens of people suffering from abdominal pain after overeating on the first night of Ramadan. 9 July marked the first day of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims where adults fast from sunset to sunrise and abstain from smoking and sex. The breaking of the fast at dusk is known as Iftaar and begins by eating dates.

"Most of the cases at the emergency room during Ramadan are gastritis. We see 10 to 15 cases of overeating every day," a staff member at al-Ahli Hospital stated to Arabian Business website.

The observation of Ramadan month marks the anniversary of the Koran being revealed to the Prophet Mohammed. It is observed annually after the sighting of the new moon and lasts for 29 or 30 days until the next new moon appears. The observance is regarded as one of the five pillars of Islam along with belief, worship, charitable donation and the pilgrimage to Mecca. This is not the first instance of such a kind, Doha hospital reportedly received 100 patients on emergency last year after the first night of Ramadan, with most of them suffering from abdominal pain, dehydration or kidney problems.

The holy month of Ramadan concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr on 7 August when morning prayers are followed by feasting and celebration.

A Muslim girl arranges plates before iftar breaking fast meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India at the Jama Masjid Grand Mosque in the old quarters of Delhi
A Muslim girl arranges plates before iftar (breaking fast) meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi REUTERS
A child is seen near members of the Muslim community attending midday prayers at Strasbourg Grand Mosque in Strasbourg on the first day of Ramadan July 9, 2013. The Grand Mosque of Paris has fixed the first day of Ramadan
A child is seen near members of the Muslim community attending midday prayers at Strasbourg Grand Mosque in Strasbourg on the first day of Ramadan July 9, 2013. The Grand Mosque of Paris has fixed the first day of Ramadan REUTERS
A Palestinian woman buys qatayef, a dessert traditionally eaten during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on the first day of Ramadan in the West Bank city of Ramallah
A Palestinian woman buys qatayef, a dessert traditionally eaten during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, on the first day of Ramadan in the West Bank city of Ramallah REUTERS
Afghan Muslims wait for their Iftar meal on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at a mosque in Kabul
Afghan Muslims wait for their Iftar meal on the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, at a mosque in Kabul REUTERS
Boys carry buckets as they queue to receive free food for their first iftar, or breaking fast, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Raqqa province, eastern Syria
Boys carry buckets as they queue to receive free food for their first iftar, or breaking fast, during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in Raqqa province, eastern Syria REUTERS
A Somali vendor prepares snacks to sell during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan at Hmarwayne district, south of Mogadishu
A Somali vendor prepares snacks to sell during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan at Hmarwayne district, south of Mogadishu REUTERS
Muslims arrange plates before iftar breaking fast meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India
Muslims arrange plates before iftar (breaking fast) meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India REUTERS
A Muslim woman prays after her iftar breaking fast meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India at the Jama Masjid Grand Mosque in the old quarters of Delhi
A Muslim woman prays after her iftar (breaking fast) meal on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan in India at the Jama Masjid (Grand Mosque) in the old quarters of Delhi REUTERS