The US military started to release some 1,000 Iraqi detainees from Abu Ghraib prison on Monday in honor of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the military said in a statement.

"In the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, the Iraqi government requested a special release board and worked with multinational forces to expedite the release of more than 1,000 security detainees from Abu Ghraib," the statement said.

"The release will take place over the next week with the first 500 detainees released on September 26," it added.

On Monday morning, several buses loaded with first batch of freed detainees left the notorious prison. Hundreds of others will be released in the following days, the US military said.

The statement said they were only releasing detainees who are not guilty of serious crimes and have "confessed to their crimes, renounced violence and pledged to be good citizens of Iraq."

The move came as part of the Iraqi government's efforts to encourage Iraqis, especially the Sunni Arab community, to take part in the political process, particularly the Oct. 15 referendum.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar, in which they observe the fast of Ramadan for entire month. Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals. It is their month of worship and strengthening family and community ties.

Source: Xinhua