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

"This gathering of children revives Mosuli and Iraqi heritage and teaches them the values of sharing and celebrating the holy month. I feel great joy performing prayers again in the mosque after its restoration and reopening, which reflects its spiritual and historical importance."

"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 their old memories."

"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."

Mosul experiences a cultural and spiritual revival during Ramadan following years of war and devastation. Traditional practices have returned to the city, including Tarawih prayers at the restored Grand al-Nuri Mosque, the chanting of Majina ya Majina by children in traditional clothing, and the emergence of hakawati storytellers recounting Mosul's heritage. These customs blend religious observance with cultural activities that preserve collective memory and teach younger generations values of sharing and community. The musaharati, traditional predawn callers, also resume their role during the holy month. These revivals reflect Mosul's determination to restore its identity and spiritual significance after the devastation caused by ISIL occupation and subsequent conflict.

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