Holiday History Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr by Marzieh A. Ali
Traditionally published non fiction Ramadan and Eid books have more errors than they should. I was hopeful with this one, the author is a Muslim and accomplished author, and it started out good, but then it hyper fixated on the foods eaten which can never be accurate. Muslims are everywhere in the world, and no two people like the exact same foods anywhere, not even siblings So why it would so clearly articulate, without qualifiers, what Muslims eat for suhoor or iftar is beyond me. I do not eat eggs, bread, and kebabs for suhoor, we tend to enjoy brownie sundaes and pizza, and dates, broth, and fruit for iftar, sure makes me wonder if my nachos or pesto, rendered my fasts invalid? Snark aside, it takes away from the quality information in the book that highlights that while fasting Muslim kids go to school and adults to work. I also don’t like the suggestion that Ramadan is a time to reflect, pray, cook for others, and help those in need. It truly reads that this is when we do it, as if it is the only time we do it, and not that we do these acts all year, but do it MORE in Ramadan. I know, I’m being picky, but these types of books are standards in public and school libraries, and in a world where Muslims are by-and-large having to prove their humanity, words have power, and need to be conveying that we pray five times a day, and more in Ramadan. That we help those in need all year long, and more in Ramadan. The book is only 23 pages long, so when it spends so much space on these items worded in this way, it really becomes the takeaway message.
The book starts pretty well, with clear precise sentences telling that “Islam is a religion practiced by Muslims” and that “they believe in one God” (note in the book God is not capitalized). It has that “Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar,” which I am ok with in non fiction books. And tells that “more that 1,400 years ago, the Prophet Muhammad received the first verses of the Quran” and that “they were sent by Allah through angel Gabriel.”
We then get two pages about specific foods, and told “Ramadan is a time to help.” “It is also a time to pray and reflect. People go to mosques. They read the Quran. They talk about Islam.” Stated just like that. Making it seem that only in Ramadan are these things done. The unqualified statements make it seem that just as “They read the Quran” “Children make paper lanterns.” Apparently it isn’t optional, or a fun craft, it is just what is done.
I like that the five pillars are included, I wish it gave the terms of shahada, and sawm, and salat, and zakat and hajj, “journeying to Mecca” is a bit vague, and not at all sufficient. I don’t know about they weight of the symbols either. Dates show the “importance of fasting.” No they are the sunnah. The star on the crescent symbolizes “the night of Ramadan spent in worship.” I think the symbols are a stretch to be honest.
Eid al Fitr is one day not three as the book states. The next spread then revisits the food, as if Biriyani is only eaten on Eid and all Egyptians make baklava. The end is a one page Quick Facts and Tools and a glossary. I have once again sent an email to the publisher asking them to edit future reprints of the book.
