The Month of Ramadan

When is it?

• The month of Ramadan takes place during the 9th lunar month of the Islamic calendar, starting from the sighting of one crescent moon to the next (about 29-31 days).
• The official start is determined by local moon sighting committees, so start dates depend on where you are local to and/or which authorities you follow.
• Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month, when the next crescent moon has been sighted or after 30 days if folks can’t see the moon.

Read

• The Gift of Ramadan (ages 4-8)
• Amira’s Picture Day (ages 4-8)
• My Grandma and Me (ages 4-8)
• Lailah’s Lunchbox
• Ramadan Moon
• Hafiz and the Raya Recipes

I’m delighted to report that there have been more and more engaging stories centering the holiday published in the last few years, so we no longer have to settle for “This is about the month of Ramadan” and can now get picky about which #OwnVoices Muslim stories are the most fun to read.

There are plenty of books about the holiday – but most focus on the surface, the behaviors (fasting, donating, etc.) instead of the principles and theology these traditions represent. These are the non-didactic, engaging stories the Earthquakes have enjoyed over the years. As they get older, we’re able to dig deeper into the principles and the values of Islam – which connect to us as non-Muslims with our Muslim friends.

Now all we need is way more stories centering Muslim characters beyond an intro to the month of Ramadan.

Discuss (for non-Muslim kids)

1. What is the *Month of Ramadan?
2. Who celebrates it, and why?
3. What principles and values do people celebrate this month?
4. How can we support our friends who observe the month of Ramadan?
   Examples:

• • Make space so observing is accessible, but don’t assume folks celebrate the month.
  • Don’t eat or drink during zoom chats (many families are food insecure so we try to avoid this anyway.)
  • Walk a little slower with kids who are observing if they’re feeling faint.
  • Learn how to intervene as a bystander if kids are getting comments at school for for skipping lunch.
  • Write a letter to your boss, your school principal, or talk with teachers asking them to make welcoming accommodations for families and extend school deadlines to make space for Eid celebrations.
  • Speak up at school planning events to ask that some fundraisers be alcohol-free, offer halal treat options, and to make time for folks who need extra time for prayers.

*When talking about the practices, observance, and the holiday, why do say “The month of Ramadan‘ instead of just the name of the month alone? (‘Ramadan‘ is another name for Allah in instructional and holy writings, referring to a calendar month by this name alone is disrespectful.)

Call to action:

1. Choose stories centering Muslim characters that are not about the month of Ramadan. Schedule a time to read them together between June – March.
2. Do the things you discussed above!

More Resources to dig deeper:

• Kids stories featuring people observing the Month of Ramadan
• Stories centering Muslim characters that are not about the month of Ramadan

Eid al-Fitr

When is it?

• The first day of Shawwal in the Islamic calendar
• 2022: May 3
• 2023: April 22
• 2024: March 31
• 2025: March 20

Read:

• Amal’s Eid (disclosure: Sailaja of Mango & Marigold Press is a member of the RL Patreon community)

Watch

• How to be a Good Ally to Muslims During the month of Ramadan [3:16m best for ages 5+]

Discuss

•  How can we support friends and family who celebrate Ramadan when they come over to play?
• How can we support our friends in the classroom?
• How can we support our friends during snack and lunch time?

More Resources to dig deeper:

• Read stories celebrating and normalizing Muslim families all year long, not just during the month of Ramadan.