Events Occurred on the Second of Ramadan

The second day of Ramadan has witnessed many significant battles and historical events over the years, including the Muslim victory over Queen Dihya, the Mamluk conquest of Crete, the Battle of Shaqhab, the entry of Ottoman forces into Romania, and the controversial announcement of the so-called ISIS caliphate. Below is a detailed look at some of the most notable events that occurred on this day in history:

Foundation of the City of Kairouan – 672 CE

On the second day of Ramadan in 50 AH, the city of Kairouan was founded, which remained the capital of Islam in Africa for nearly four centuries.

Kairouan is one of the oldest Islamic cities and marks the beginning of Arab-Islamic civilization in the Maghreb region. It was established by the Muslim commander Uqba ibn Nafi during the Umayyad Caliphate under the rule of Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan.

Kairouan became renowned as a center for knowledge and learning, a bastion of Ash’ari and Maturidi theology, and a hub for resisting anthropomorphic ideologies. Additionally, it served as a launch point for Islamic conquests into Spain, Morocco, and Algeria. The city’s name in Persian translates to “a gathering place for war.”

Victory over Berber Queen Dihya – 702 CE

Queen Dihya, also known as “the Kahina,” was a Berber ruler known for her beauty, intelligence, and military prowess.

During the Umayyad Caliphate under Abdul Malik ibn Marwan, the Islamic armies expanded into North Africa, conquering all but the Aurès Mountains, which were ruled by the fierce warrior queen Dihya. She inflicted a significant defeat on the forces of Hassan ibn al-Nu’man, forcing them to retreat to Barqa (modern-day Libya).

However, after five years of resistance, Dihya was defeated on the second day of Ramadan in 82 AH. Following her death, 12,000 of her soldiers joined the Muslim army and embraced Islam, marking the full incorporation of North Africa into the Islamic world.

The Controversial ISIS Caliphate Declaration – 2014 CE

On the second day of Ramadan in 1435 AH, the militant group ISIS (Daesh), rooted in extremist Wahhabi ideology, declared the establishment of a so-called Islamic Caliphate in the territories it controlled in Syria and Iraq.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was named as the group’s “caliph,” and the declaration marked a turning point in the Syrian and Iraqi conflicts. The group’s ideology and actions, however, drew widespread condemnation from the global Muslim community for its distortion of Islamic principles.

Death of Abu al-Hasan al-Sari al-Saqati – 866 CE

Abu al-Hasan al-Sari al-Saqati was a prominent scholar of Sunni Islam and a figure in early Sunni Sufism during the 3rd century AH.

Known as “the doctor of nourishment and purification of hearts,” he was renowned for his piety, asceticism, and expertise in Islamic jurisprudence and theology. He passed away in Baghdad on the second day of Ramadan in 251 AH.

The Battle of Shaqhab – 1303 CE

The Battle of Shaqhab, also known as the Battle of Marj al-Safar, took place near the village of Shaqhab, close to Damascus. It is remembered as a pivotal victory for Muslims against the Mongols.

At the time, the Abbasid Caliphate was at its weakest, and the Mongols, under the leadership of Ghazan’s deputy Qutlushah, had seized many Islamic cities, spreading fear due to their brutality.

On the second day of Ramadan in 702 AH, the Mamluks, led by Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun of Egypt and Syria, clashed with the Mongols. The battle ended in a decisive Muslim victory, halting Ghazan’s ambitions to expand his empire into Syria and other parts of the Islamic world.

Ottoman Entry into Romania – 1848 CE

Islam entered Romania, located in the Balkan Peninsula, through Ottoman conquests.

On the second day of Ramadan in 1264 AH, Ottoman forces led by Emir Izz al-Din began the conquest of the Dobruja region. This marked the beginning of the Muslim presence in Romania, which eventually formed the foundation of the country’s Muslim community.

The Ottomans left behind a legacy of Islamic architecture, including fortresses, castles, and mosques. One of the most famous is the Babadağ Mosque, built in 1552.

However, the Russian Empire retaliated by occupying the Moldavia region, reflecting the intense competition between the two empires in the Balkans.