Muslim News Digest, January 2026.

MUSLIM NEWS DIGEST, JANUARY 2026.RAMADAN:

First day of Ramadan fasting is on February 18,2026 in North America. Fiqh Council of North America. Fiqh Council of North America. https://fiqhcouncil.org/ramadan-2026-announcement/

5 good deeds to do in Ramadan for maximum reward. Sudanese American Physician Association. https://sapa-usa.org/good-deeds-for-ramadan/

Tips for traveling to Muslim countries during Ramadan. Lonely Planet. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/top-tips-for-travel-during-ramadan

London’s Ramadan lights are back and more spectacular than ever with 30,000 dazzling LEDs shining over Piccadilly. Secret London. https://secretldn.com/london-ramadan-lights-2026-switch-on/

IKEA’s new Ramadan inspired collection is going to be on all the coolest iftar tables this year. Living Etc. https://www.livingetc.com/shopping/ikea-gokvalla-ramadan-collection-edit

USA NEWS:

Texas mosque unveils 25,000-Sq-Ft lifeline for the vulnerable. About Islam. https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/texas-mosque-unveils-25000-sq-ft-lifeline-for-the-vulnerable/

As winter storm hits Texas, a mosque opens doors for the homeless. About Islam. https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/as-winter-storm-hits-texas-a-mosque-opens-doors-for-the-homeless/

Faris Hussain, Fort Worth Texas store manager is called a hero rescuing a homeless woman frozen from winter storm. Fox4 News. https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-worth-food-mart-saves-homeless-woman-from-winter-storm

‘The Greatest’: USPS unveils postage stamp honoring Muhammad Ali at Louisville ceremony. WHAS11. https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/usps-muhammad-ali-stamp/417-0d4fc3c7-5323-40c7-a712-1674220f755c

The New York Governor declares January as Muslim American Heritage Month. https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-directs-state-landmarks-be-illuminated-green-honor-muslim-american-heritage

Michigan state celebrates Muslim American Heritage Month.  https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/news/proclamations/2026/01/01/january-2026-muslim-american-heritage-month

Plainfield, New Jersey schools celebrate Muslim Heritage Month with Olympian, author Ibtihaj Muhammad. Tap Into Plainfield. https://www.tapinto.net/towns/plainfield/sections/education/articles/plainfield-schools-celebrate-muslim-heritage-month-with-olympian-author-ibtihaj-muhammad

Middle school phenom? Kansas University reportedly offers 8th grader Omar Muhammad. Sports Illustrated. 
https://www.si.com/college/kansas/basketball/middle-school-phenom-kansas-reportedly-offers-8th-grader-omar-muhammad

Postdoc portrait: Muhammad Bilal. Scientist. https://www.the-scientist.com/postdoc-portrait-muhammad-bilal-73889

Doris Duke Foundation appoints Zaki Barzinji as Director of Building Bridges Program, ushering in a new era of storytelling. https://dorisduke.org/news/doris-duke-foundation-appoints-zaki-barzinji-as-director-of-the-building-bridges-program-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-storytelling

Subscribe to ISNA’s Islamic Horizons magazine. https://isna.app.neoncrm.com/forms/islamic-horizons

Halal food is going mainstream in Connecticut, from restaurants to markets to fast food. New Haven Register. https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/halal-restaurant-market-increasing-in-connecticut-21286141.php

Meet the 21-year-old serving as Georgia’s youngest state legislators. Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/31/muhammad-akbar-ali-youngest-georgia-house-democrat

Milo Productions’ animated ‘Time Hoppers: The Silk Road’ to hit U.S. theaters. Animated World Network. https://www.awn.com/news/milo-productions-animated-time-hoppers-silk-road-hit-us-theatres

Pakistani American lawyer Zunaira Tariq joins TikTok US in a senior global role. Minute Mirror. https://minutemirror.com.pk/pakistani-american-lawyer-zunaira-tariq-joins-tiktok-in-senior-global-role-493487/#google_vignette

Asad Ayaz named Disney’s first-ever Chief Marketing & Brand Officer… Deadline. https://deadline.com/2026/01/disney-asad-ayaz-1236683204/

Rep. Ilhan Omar assaulted an audience member at a town hall meeting. C-SPAN. https://www.c-span.org/clip/public-affairs-event/rep-ilhan-omar-assaulted-by-audience-member-at-town-hall-meeting/5191018

Pax Christi USA joins a major interfaith call for closure of Guantanamo Bay. ICN. https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/54112

CAIR announces $195,000 settlement with Maryland County over illegal christian faith requirement in chaplain application. https://www.cair.com/press_releases/breaking-cair-announces-195000-settlement-with-maryland-county-over-illegal-christian-faith-requirement-in-chaplain-application/

INTERNATIONAL:

Winnipeg, Canada Muslim community comes together to support those in need. Winnipeg City News. https://winnipeg.citynews.ca/2026/01/25/winnipeg-muslim-community/

Literacy program empowers Rohingya women in Bangladesh. Muslim Network TV. https://www.muslimnetwork.tv/literacy-program-empowers-rohingya-women-in-bangladesh/

Sudan food aid at risk of running dry, U.N. warns. Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/16/sudan-food-aid-at-risk-of-running-dry-un-warns

Gaza ceasefire improves aid access, but children still face deadly conditions. United Nations. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166835

Trump: Another war fleet headed toward Iran. Jordan News. https://www.jordannews.jo/Section-111/All/Trump-Another-War-Fleet-Headed-Toward-Iran-48410

Worshippers welcomed at Issa’s Masjid-e-Vali in Blackburn, England. Lancashire Telegraph. https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/25735415.worshippers-welcomed-new-masjid-e-vali-blackburn/

How the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games delivered a new blueprint for multi-sport storytelling. Sports Pro. https://www.sportspro.com/opinion-guest-blogs/technology/islamic-solidarity-games-2025-spectatr-ai-highlights-anoc-issa/

Muhammad is Toronto’s most popular baby boy name in 2024. Toronto Sun. https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/muhammad-baby-boy-names-toronto-emma-olivia

‘People are taking the wrong lessons from Mamdani’s victory’: London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Politico Magazine. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2026/01/01/zohran-mamdani-sadiq-khan-new-york-london-interview-00697371

Palestinian embassy in London opens in ‘historic moment.’ Sky News. https://news.sky.com/story/palestinian-embassy-in-london-opens-in-historic-moment-13490822

Young, French and Muslim: The new electoral force to be reckoned with. huphen. https://hyphenonline.com/2026/01/26/nice-elections-2026-lariane-les-moulins-muslim-french-voters-young/

The whimsical floating schools of Kashmir. Reasons to be Cheerful. https://reasonstobecheerful.world/floating-schools-of-kashmir-dal-lake/

Canada invests $2.26 million to expand halal beef processing in Prince Edward Island. Salaam Gateway. https://salaamgateway.com/story/canada-invests-226m-to-expand-halal-beef-processing-in-prince-edward-island

Fast-food giant KFC to offer 24 halal-only restaurants in France. Brussels Signal. https://brusselssignal.eu/2026/01/fast-food-giant-kfc-to-offer-24-halal-only-restaurants-in-france/

Russia plans a ‘Sacred Path’ project to attract Muslim tourists. Muslim Network TV. https://www.muslimnetwork.tv/russia-plans-sacred-path-project-to-attract-muslim-tourists/

From spice routes to your grill: The global journey of halal flavors. IFANCA.org. https://ifanca.org/resources/from-spice-routes-to-your-grill-the-global-journey-of-halal-flavors/

INSPIRATION:

Helping families navigate seasonal depression. Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/helping-families-navigate-seasonal-depression

What should I do if I find out my child is being bullied? Sound Vision. https://www.soundvision.com/article/what-should-i-do-if-i-find-out-my-child-is-being-bullied

Islam and pursuit of peace: Responding to misconceptions. IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/106104/islam-and-the-pursuit-of-peace-responding-to-misconceptions/

We bought our dream home the Muslim way. Times UK. https://www.thetimes.com/money/mortgages/article/we-bought-our-dream-home-the-muslim-way-how-faith-affects-finances-55rsz6lmq

The Full Story of Islam: 900 Years History. Video 60 min. Religious Story TV. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIwaJb6Ce-4

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ISLAMIC DATES: https://fiqhcouncil.org/calendar/
Feb 4. Nisf Shaban, Shab e Barat
Feb 18. 1st of Ramadan
Mar 15. Lailat al-Qadr
Mar 20. 1st of Shawwal, Eid al-Fitr
Apr 18. 1st of Dhul Qi’dah
May 18. Dhul Hijjah
May 26. Hajj, Day of Arafat
May 27. Eid al-Adha
Jun 16. 1st of Muharram 1448 AH
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS, NATIONAL:
Jan 30-31. St. Louis. ISNA Day for St. Louis. https://hq.isna.net/
Jan 31. St. Louis. ISNA Matrimonial Banquet. https://isna.tfaforms.net/21
Jan 31. Chicago. Gain Peace Event: Counter Islamophobia With Peace. https://secure.everyaction.com/Od5Vhwu0aUWA7MWCO2It_Q2
Jan 31. Newark, CA. Islamophobia Study Center Annual Dinner. https://www.iphobiacenter.org/
Feb 1. World Hijab Day. https://worldhijabday.com/join-the-movement-world-hijab-day/
Mar 1. A Continuous Charity (ACC) Student Loan. Apply now. https://acceducate.org/apply/
Feb 28. Savior Day. Mosque Cares. Video Livestream. Register https://www.saviorsday.net/
Mar 31. Imam’s Generational Scholarship Fund. Last day to apply https://www.contemporaryislam.org/imam-scholarship.html
Apr 3-5. Chicago. ISNA Education Forum. https://hq.isna.net/upcoming-events
Apr 4. Chicago. ISNA Matrimonial Banquet. https://isna.tfaforms.net/32
Apr 13. Sacramento. Muslim Day at the Capitol of California. https://ca.cair.com/advocacy/muslim-day-at-the-capitol/
May 23-25. Baltimore. ICNA-MAS Convention 2026. https://icnaconvention.org/
Jun 28-Jul 19. MYNA Hira Intensive. https://www.myna.org/hira-main
Sep 4-7. Detroit. 63rd Annual ISNA Convention. https://hq.isna.net/annual-convention