Ramadan Kareem by M.O. Yuksel illustrated by Hatem Aly
The lyrical text that shows joy, Muslim joy, all over the world during the most wonderful time of the year is felt, truly truly felt in this rich, beautiful book. The illustrations, the text, the sentiment, it all comes together so splendidly, that when you turn the last page you want to start over again. Hundreds of people are wondering what book to read to their children’s public schools this year, what book to start off masjid story times this Ramadan, what book to read every night leading up to the blessed month to get their children excited, what book to hand to your children to look through so they can have a few more minutes of sleep and alhumdulillah to all the above, I whole heartedly suggest, this one. Even with the errors. The book states “the Night of Power is better than a thousand nights,” and should read, better than a thousand months. The backmatter says “by not eating or drinking anything from just before sunrise until sunset.” The story itself though has it correct and says “suhoor is a predawn meal” and notes the “sun is still sleeping.”
A universal story of celebrating Ramadan, with waking up for suhoor, greeting neighbors, having self control, praying, volunteering, iftar, community. It is a singular story, but each two page spread showing a child in a new country continuing the narrative. The worship uniting us all as Muslims even while our unique traditions add diversity and layers to the acts that we share.
It starts with gazing at the new moon in Turkey and mom saying that the narrator can fast. The drummer than beats her drum and it it time to wake up in Egypt. The call to prayer and remembering you are fasting reaches Syria, and donations are given in Indonesia. In Spain Qur’an is read in abuela’s lap and neighbors are visited in the United States. Donations are packed in Australia, friends and family are visited in Pakistan, and kimchi after dates for iftar in South Korea. It is then off to Iran for prayers, Laylatul Qadr in Senegal, and getting ready for Eid in Uzbekistan. Palestine is the final stop as Eid joy erupts for Muslims everywhere.
The book is widely available, you can order yours here at Crescent Moon or here on Amazon
