Significant Historical Events on the 16th of Ramadan

The First Fasting in Kashmir

On the 16th of Ramadan in the year 409 AH, Muslims observed fasting for the first time in Kashmir after its peaceful conquest by Mahmud ibn Sebüktegin al-Ghaznawi. The ruler of Kashmir voluntarily surrendered the city, leading many of its inhabitants to embrace Islam and begin fasting for the remainder of the holy month.

Mahmud al-Ghaznawi was one of the greatest conquerors of India, leading approximately 17 military campaigns between 1001 CE and 1027 CE. He expanded his inherited empire, extending its borders from Bukhara and Samarkand to Gujarat and Kannauj, covering regions such as Afghanistan, Transoxiana, Sistan, Khorasan, Tabaristan, and Kashmir, along with a significant portion of northwestern India.

Although he attempted to reach Kashmir twice, it was only after a prolonged siege that the locals opened their gates without resistance, allowing Islam to flourish in the region.

1934: Libya Becomes an Italian Colony

The Italian occupation of Libya, including the regions of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica, which were under Ottoman rule, was a long-standing goal of Italy. Although early attempts failed, Italy managed to take control by the 1930s.

On October 3, 1911, Italy invaded Libya under the pretense of liberating its people from Ottoman rule. Despite fierce Libyan resistance, the Ottoman Empire ultimately surrendered Libya to Italy through the Treaty of Lausanne in 1912, officially recognizing Italian sovereignty over the territory.

By 1934, Italy merged the regions of Tripolitania and Cyrenaica into a single colonial entity, officially naming it “Libya”, a designation that remains the country’s name today.

1976: Palestine Joins the Arab League

On the 16th of Ramadan, 1396 AH (1976 CE), Palestine officially joined the Arab League, following the recognition of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

The PLO was founded in 1964, becoming the political and military representative of Palestinians after the First Palestinian National Congress in Jerusalem, which was convened following a resolution from the 1964 Arab League Summit.

The organization initially included Fatah and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) but did not encompass Hamas or Islamic Jihad at that time. The head of the PLO Executive Committee serves as the President of Palestine and represents the Palestinian people in the territories governed by the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as the Palestinian diaspora.

Initially, the PLO’s goal was the liberation of Palestine through armed struggle, but later, it adopted the idea of establishing a temporary democratic state on part of Palestinian land. In 1988, it officially endorsed the two-state solution, demanding the return of refugees and recognizing East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.

In 1993, PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat formally recognized Israel in an official letter to then-Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. In return, Israel recognized the PLO as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza as part of the Oslo Accords between the two sides.

678 CE: The Passing of Lady Aisha bint Abu Bakr

On the 16th of Ramadan, 58 AH (678 CE), Lady Aisha bint Abu Bakr, the beloved wife of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), passed away. Some historical accounts state that her death occurred on the 17th of Ramadan.

She was the third wife of the Prophet, following Lady Khadijah bint Khuwaylid and Lady Sawda bint Zam’a. She was also the only virgin the Prophet married.

The daughter of Caliph Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, Aisha married the Prophet after the Battle of Badr, in Shawwal of the second year after Hijrah.

She was known for her eloquence, wisdom, and deep knowledge of Islamic teachings. She narrated numerous hadiths from the Prophet and played a crucial role in preserving Islamic traditions. She was falsely accused in the Incident of Ifk, but the Quranic revelation vindicated her innocence, further solidifying her esteemed status in Islamic history.