Ramadan around the world: 10 traditions that’ll blow your mind

Sometimes, I think Ramadan is like a beautifully choreographed dance, with prayers, fasting, and community coming together in perfect rhythm. But did you know that while you’re breaking your fast with dates and water, someone else is watching a cannon blast in Saudi Arabia, another person is strolling through a lantern-lit street in Cairo, and someone in Turkey is waking up to a live drum performance?

Across the world, Muslims have their own unique—and sometimes wild—spin on the holy month. From traditions that feel like a festival to age-old rituals that’ll make you wish your mornings started differently, let’s explore ten fascinating Ramadan customs that prove this month is anything but ordinary.

1. Istanbul’s beautiful Ramadan light show
Forget your regular city lights—during Ramadan, Istanbul takes illumination to a whole new level. Picture the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia wrapped in glowing messages of peace and faith, their minarets strung with shining lights known as mahya. Trust me, it’s a whole vibe. Pro tip: Grab a Turkish tea, find a rooftop café, and let the skyline work its magic.

The Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia glow under stunning mahya lights, spreading messages of faith and peace during Ramadan in IstanbulInstagram/TRTEntertainment

2. Egypt’s Fanous lanterns
Who needs fairy lights when you’ve got fanous? These handcrafted, multicoloured lanterns flood Egypt’s streets, creating a magical, old-school Ramadan aesthetic. Legend has it that this tradition began when Egyptians welcomed a Fatimid caliph with lanterns. Now, kids roam the streets with them, singing songs and collecting sweets—think Halloween, but dazzling.

Cairo’s streets come alive with the warm glow of colourful Fanous lanterns, a beloved Ramadan tradition that lights up the nightGetty Images

3. Indonesia’s Padusan ritual
Before fasting begins, Indonesians hit natural springs and rivers for a full-body cleanse. Called padusan, this Javanese tradition isn’t just about washing up—it’s about entering Ramadan spiritually refreshed. A deep cleanse for the soul? Yes, please.

Javanese Muslims Prepare For Ramadan With Padusan RitualGetty

4. Morocco’s Nafar
Ever wished someone would gently wake you up for suhoor instead of your screeching phone alarm? In Morocco, the nafar (town crier) does just that. Dressed in traditional robes, he walks the streets at dawn, playing a flute or drum to wake everyone up. It’s old-school, it’s nostalgic, and it beats your iPhone ringtone any day. Period!

town crier, dressed in traditional robes, walks the streets at dawn, waking people up for suhoor with his flute Youtube

5. Pakistan’s Dastarkhwan-e-Ramadan
Ramadan in Pakistan is all about feeding people—everyone, no questions asked. Streets and mosques set up massive dastarkhwans (think picnic blankets, but loaded with food), offering free meals to anyone in need. Samosas, biryanis, and dates galore. A free feast with a side of kindness? Count us in!

Dastarkhwan, offering free iftar meals to anyone in need—because in Pakistan, Ramadan is all about sharingGetty Images

6. The UK’s mosque open days
Ever crashed an iftar? In the UK, mosques throw open their doors during Ramadan, inviting people from all backgrounds to break the fast together. It’s an open-invite dinner party where you leave with a full stomach—and maybe a new perspective. If only all interfaith conversations included samosas, right?

People from different backgrounds gather at a mosque breaking fast together and fostering interfaith connections over delicious iftar mealsGetty Images

7. Malaysia’s bazaar Ramadan
If food had a festival, it’d look like Malaysia’s Bazaar Ramadan. These open-air markets serve everything from spicy nasi kerabu to colourful kuih-muih sweets. It’s a whole foodie adventure, and trust me, you’ll want to arrive hungry and leave in a food coma.

A bustling Malaysian Ramadan bazaar, filled with stalls Getty Images

8. Saudi Arabia’s cannon-firing tradition
Forget checking your watch—Saudis announce iftar with an actual cannon blast. Yes! This centuries-old tradition, midfa al iftar, dates back to the Ottoman era and continues across the kingdom today. Nothing says, "Time to eat!" like a literal explosion.

A historic cannon fires at sunset, a centuries-old tradition in Saudi Arabia that signals the time for iftar during RamadanGetty Images

9. Turkey’s suhoor drummers
Long before alarm clocks, Turkey had davulcu—drummers who roamed the streets at dawn, banging out beats to wake people for suhoor. The best part? They still do it! And if you appreciate the morning wake-up call, you can tip them with money or treats. Talk about a side hustle with rhythm.

Traditional Turkish drummers roams the streets at dawn, keeping the ancient Ramadan tradition alive by waking people for suhoor with rhythmic beatsGetty Images

10. The Philippines’ Pagmamano
In the Philippines, Ramadan is a time to slow down and show love—especially to elders. The pagmamano tradition involves younger people taking an elder’s hand and pressing it to their forehead as a sign of respect. It’s a simple yet heart-warming way to show love and family bonds, reminding us that sometimes, the best traditions don’t need fireworks or shining lights—just a little love.

Young Filipinos gently presses an elder’s hand to their forehead, a heartfelt Ramadan tradition that symbolizes respect, love, and family bondsDreamtime

Who knew one holy month could look so different across the world? Whether it’s lantern-lit streets in Cairo, cannon fire in Saudi Arabia, or drummers hyping you up for suhoor in Turkey, Ramadan proves how beautifully faith and culture intertwine.

But no matter where or how it’s celebrated, one thing stays the same—the spirit of community, kindness, and a whole lot of good food. So this Ramadan, take a moment to soak in the traditions, try something new, and maybe—just maybe—wake up to a drum instead of your phone alarm. (Kidding! Or am I?)