Ramadan Traditions Revived From Baghdad To New York

As the sun set across cities and continents on February 19, 2026, the beginning of Ramadan was marked by traditions both ancient and new, drawing together communities from Baghdad to New York and Dhaka in a shared moment of reflection, celebration, and solidarity. The holy month, observed by millions of Muslims worldwide, unfolded this year against a backdrop of revived rituals, symbolic gestures of inclusion, and renewed calls for humanitarian action. In Baghdad, the familiar thunder of a cannon echoed from Abu Nawas Street as Iraqi army artillery units fired a single ceremonial round to signal the first sunset of Ramadan. According to Shafaq News, soldiers meticulously prepared the gun, coordinating the timed discharge to coincide precisely with sunset. Earlier that day, a test firing was conducted on the same riverside stretch to ensure everything would go off without a hitch. The Ministry of Defense announced that the cannon would be fired daily at iftar throughout the holy month, warning residents that its sound would reverberate across several districts of the capital. The tradition, once a fixture of Baghdad evenings, blends military precision with ritual symbolism. For many, especially those living along the Tigris, the blast is more than just an acoustic marker—it’s a communal anchor, tying the city’s rhythm to the call to prayer and the first sip of water after a day’s fast. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, more than half a million Muslims in New York City began their own Ramadan observances—this time with a historic twist. For the first time, the city’s Muslim population is being led by a Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. On the first evening of Ramadan, Mamdani posted a video on Instagram showcasing his iftar plate. The spread was a tapestry of flavors and histories: pita bread, falafel, kebabs, hummus, dolmas, spiced rice, baklava, muri (puffed rice), pakoras, jalebi, Persian-style samosas, shingara, dates, cashews, and tangerines. The New York Times highlighted that the platter wasn’t curated for spectacle—it was familiar, accessible, and deeply resonant with the city’s immigrant roots. Mamdani’s meal read like a map, with the Levant, Persia, and the Indian subcontinent all represented on one table. It mirrored the way New York itself works: layered, migratory, and continually shaped by movement. For Mamdani, whose own story began in Kampala, Uganda, and who moved to New York at the age of seven, the symbolism was unmistakable. His mother, acclaimed Indian filmmaker Mira Nair, and his father, scholar Mahmood Mamdani, have both shaped his global outlook. In his mayoral victory speech, Mamdani declared, “New York will remain a city of immigrants: a city built by immigrants, powered by immigrants, and, as of tonight, led by an immigrant.” The mayor’s iftar plate, then, was more than just a meal—it was a statement. It resonated with everyday New Yorkers observing Ramadan, featuring foods found in neighborhood bakeries, street stalls, and family kitchens. It felt accessible, a meal that could just as easily nourish a delivery driver, a nurse after a long shift, or a firefighter breaking fast between calls. Mamdani’s approach signals a leadership style that doesn’t sidestep identity, but rather foregrounds it, drawing from his own experiences of migration and cultural inheritance. As city data shows, roughly 36 percent of New York City’s population is foreign-born, representing millions who trace their roots outside the United States. This diversity is visible in neighborhoods, languages, storefronts, and, as this Ramadan demonstrates, at the dinner table. Ramadan in New York City this year runs from February 17 through March 19, 2026, and Mamdani’s engagement will not be confined to social media. According to The New York Times, his senior aide Zara Rahim confirmed that the mayor plans to host iftar dinners with firefighters, delivery drivers, and other working Muslims across the city. Rahim also noted that Mamdani will continue fasting while fulfilling his duties—giving speeches, traveling across boroughs, and meeting residents—offering a visible example of faith in public service. In South Asia, the spirit of Ramadan was marked by a high-profile visit that underscored both solidarity and humanitarian outreach. Bilal Erdoğan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on February 18, 2026, for his first visit to the country. According to MNTV, Erdoğan attended the opening ceremony of the renovated Dhaka University Health Center, a project supported by the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The refurbishment included new medical equipment and an ambulance to strengthen campus health services—an initiative warmly received by Bangladeshi students and alumni, many of whom had studied at Turkish universities. Addressing the gathering, Erdoğan congratulated Muslims worldwide on the arrival of Ramadan. He also drew attention to the serious challenges facing the Islamic world, particularly the ongoing situation in Gaza. “One of the main purposes of my visit,” Erdoğan said, “is to draw international attention to the educational difficulties faced by Rohingya Muslim children.” Later, Erdoğan traveled to Cox’s Bazar, home to one of the world’s largest refugee settlements, where he shared his first iftar of Ramadan with Rohingya refugees. He was accompanied by U.S.-based Justice for All President Imam Malik Mujahid and Turkish football star Mesut Özil. The trio met with families, community leaders, and humanitarian workers, highlighting the importance of continued support for displaced communities. Erdoğan described Bangladesh as a “close and brotherly country,” emphasizing that despite geographical distance, the ties between the two nations remain strong. He underscored that humanitarian cooperation and educational support for displaced communities would continue to be a priority in Türkiye’s outreach to the region. Bilal Erdoğan is widely known for his work in education, youth initiatives, and international humanitarian projects. As a board member of several foundations and a leading figure in the Society for the Dissemination of Knowledge, he has championed student housing, scholarships, and educational programs both in Türkiye and abroad. His involvement in cultural and youth forums, particularly those focused on Islamic education and civil society cooperation, has made him a prominent advocate for cross-border solidarity. Across Baghdad, New York, and Dhaka, the first days of Ramadan in 2026 have highlighted the enduring power of tradition, the evolving face of leadership, and the universal call to compassion. Whether marked by the thunder of a cannon, the sharing of a humble meal, or the embrace of refugees far from home, the holy month continues to inspire acts of community, remembrance, and hope.