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Ramadan in Iraq’s Mosul: Living traditions between past and present
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Ramadan in Iraq’s Mosul: Living traditions between past and present

#Mosul #Ramadan #Iraq #traditions #cultural revival #post-conflict #Islamic heritage #humanitarian

📌 Key Takeaways

  • Mosul revives traditional Ramadan customs after years of war and ISIL occupation
  • Religious practices like Tarawih prayers return to the restored Grand al-Nuri Mosque
  • Cultural traditions including storytelling and traditional games are being preserved
  • Markets flourish with Ramadan staples like dates and raisin juice
  • Humanitarian initiatives strengthen community bonds during the holy month

📖 Full Retelling

As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began last week, the Iraqi city of Mosul regained its spiritual and cultural vibrancy, with residents reviving traditional customs that had been suppressed during years of war and devastation under ISIL control. The revival includes the return of Tarawih prayers to the Grand al-Nuri Mosque and its iconic leaning minaret, al-Hadba, for the first time in nearly nine years since the mosque's destruction by ISIL fighters in 2017. On the first night of Ramadan, the traditional chant 'Majina ya Majina' echoes through old neighborhoods as children in traditional clothing roam the streets singing Ramadan songs, while the traditional musaharati continues to walk through neighborhoods before dawn to wake people for the pre-dawn meal. Cultural traditions have also made a comeback, with traditional storytellers, known as hakawati, emerging during Ramadan evenings to recount stories from Mosul's past, preserving the city's collective memory. Meanwhile, Mosul's markets, particularly the historic Bab al-Saray, flourish during Ramadan as residents flock to buy seasonal staples like dates and raisin juice, which provide essential energy for those fasting, alongside growing humanitarian initiatives that strengthen community bonds through charity and solidarity.

🏷️ Themes

Cultural revival, Religious traditions, Community solidarity, Post-conflict recovery

📚 Related People & Topics

Iraq

Iraq

Country in West Asia

Iraq, officially the Republic of Iraq, is a country in West Asia. Located within the geo-political region of the Middle East, it is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south, Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, the Persian Gulf and Kuwait to the southeast, Jordan to the southwest, and Syria to the we...

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Mosul

Mosul

City in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq

Mosul is a major city in northern Iraq, serving as the capital of Nineveh Governorate. It is the second largest city in Iraq overall after the capital Baghdad and situated on the banks of Tigris. The ruins of the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh, once the largest city in the world, are on the east s...

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Ramadan

Ramadan

Month-long fasting event in Islam

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), communal prayer (salah), reflection, and community. It is also the month in which the Quran is believed to have been revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

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Original Source
In Pictures Gallery | Religion Ramadan in Iraq’s Mosul: Living traditions between past and present Mosul revives Ramadan traditions, markets and storytelling as worship, games and charity return after years of war. By Ismael Adnan Published On 26 Feb 2026 26 Feb 2026 Click here to share on social media Share Save Add Al Jazeera on Google As the Muslim holy month of Ramadan began last week, the Iraqi city of Mosul regained its spiritual and cultural vibrancy, with religious rituals blending with cultural activities that reflect the city’s heritage, identity and collective memory after years of war and devastation. On the first night of Ramadan, immediately after the Maghrib call to prayer, the chant “Majina ya Majina”, a traditional Ramadan song, echoes through the old neighbourhoods. Children in traditional clothing roam the streets singing Ramadan songs, in a scene that revives longstanding customs. “This gathering of children revives Mosuli and Iraqi heritage and teaches them the values of sharing and celebrating the holy month,” said Yasser Goyani, 31, a member of the Bytna Foundation for Culture, Arts and Heritage Tarawih prayers, performed at night during Ramadan, have also returned to the Grand al-Nuri Mosque and its iconic leaning minaret, al-Hadba, for the first time in nearly nine years, just before the bombing of the mosque in 2017 by ISIL fighters at the peak of an Iraqi government campaign against the group that had taken control of the city. “I feel great joy performing prayers again in the mosque after its restoration and reopening, which reflects its spiritual and historical importance,” adds Goyani. The traditional storyteller, or hakawati, has also re-emerged during Ramadan evenings, recounting stories from Mosul’s past. “The hakawati represents a link between the past and the present. We narrate stories about how life in Mosul used to be, especially during the holy month of Ramadan. Despite technological development, people still love returning to ...
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