Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting

by Ausma Zehanat Khan

Overview

The month of Ramadan offers the opportunity to improve one's personal and spiritual behavior. By focusing on positive thoughts and actions, Muslims build a closer connection with God and come away from the month feeling spiritually renewed. Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting explores the richness and diversity of the Islamic tradition by focusing on an event of great spiritual significance and beauty in the lives of Muslims. Rich with personal stories and stunning photographs, Ramadan demystifies the traditions and emphasizes the importance of diversity in a world where Islamophobia is on the rise.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459811836
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	03/27/2018
Series:	Orca Origins Series , #5
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	88
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Ausma Zehanat Khan is the author of the Khattak/Getty mystery series, which has been optioned for television. A British-born Canadian, she is a former adjunct law professor and the former editor-in-chief of Muslim Girl magazine. She lives in Colorado with her husband.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: What Is Ramadan?

• What Is Islam and Who Is a Muslim?
• The Five Pillars of Islam
• Fasting in Ramadan: A Pillar of Islam
• The Ninth Month of the Islamic Lunar Calendar
• The Month of the Qur’an
• The Requirements of Fasting
• Exceptions: Valid Reasons Not to Fast
• Uzma's Story
• Ibtihaj's Story

Chapter Two: The Stages of Ramadan

• The Three Ashras
• The Mysterious Night of Destiny
• Eid-al-Fitr: The Great Celebration
• Eid Charity
• Hamzah's Story

Chapter Three: The Spirit of Ramadan

• Giving Back
• GIVE 30
• Project Downtown
• Camp Ramadan
• Other Social Programs and Efforts
• An Iftar Story
• Salima's Story

Chapter Four: Ramadan Traditions Around the World

• Bosnia
• China
• Egypt
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Kenya
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Saudi Arabia
• Sudan
• Turkey
• Dunya's Story

A final word from the author
Glossary
Resources
Index
Acknowledgments

Editorial Reviews

"Ramadan provides a clear, accessible introduction to Ramadan and Islamic beliefs generally…This series has been insightfully planned and carried out: books like Khan's Ramadan make intercultural discovery and understanding fascinating and fun. I particularly like how prominent girls and women are in this text. And while the book is intended for kids, there are many adults who would benefit from reading it to dispel their misunderstandings. I emphatically recommend Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting to any class or community interested in reading for multicultural understanding."

Resource Links

"I highly recommend it for every school, library, and Muslim and non-Muslim home."

Muslim Reads

A chatty, down-to-earth narrative voice; and an attractive, photo-heavy design make the volume both informative and engaging.

The Horn Book

"This is an excellent introduction to the holiday of Ramadan and will work well in both school and public libraries."

School Library Connection

"The handsomely designed book, full of interesting photographs, explains the significance of Ramadan within the context of Islam…The stories of several children are told, while the wide coverage of Ramadan in a number of parts of the world is a welcome addition. Throughout, Khan's personable tone brings the holiday close…This will serve both those who know little about Ramadan and those who celebrate it."

Booklist

"The book is sprinkled with many colourful photos of people praying and celebrating around the world, mosques, food and more which illustrate the joy that this holiday brings to Muslims…I would recommend Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting to children learning about Ramadan and the Muslim faith as well as to children who do celebrate this holiday as they will see a reflection of their lives in its pages. Recommended."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

A chatty, down-to-earth narrative voice; and an attractive, photo-heavy design make the volume both informative and engaging.

The Horn Book Online

"I highly recommend it for every school, library, and Muslim and non-Muslim home."

Muslim Reads blog

"The book is sprinkled with many colourful photos of people praying and celebrating around the world, mosques, food and more which illustrate the joy that this holiday brings to Muslims…I would recommend Ramadan: The Holy Month of Fasting to children learning about Ramadan and the Muslim faith as well as to children who do celebrate this holiday as they will see a reflection of their lives in its pages. Recommended."

CM Magazine

"The handsomely designed book, full of interesting photographs, explains the significance of Ramadan within the context of Islam…The stories of several children are told, while the wide coverage of Ramadan in a number of parts of the world is a welcome addition. Throughout, Khan's personable tone brings the holiday close…This will serve both those who know little about Ramadan and those who celebrate it."

Booklist

02/01/2018
Gr 2–5—Khan explains the religious practice to young readers. Filled with vibrant color photographs, the book explains in detail the events and rituals of the spiritual month of the Muslim faith. It is broken into chapters and follows the experiences of several children as well as Olympic fencer, Ibtihaj Muhammad. Muhammad explains how she trains differently during Ramadan. The children share what it is like to fast and the various projects they take on during that time. The book shares holy traditions from countries around the world such as Egypt, Kenya, and India. There are recipes for families to try while they break their fast at sundown. VERDICT This is a comprehensive book of facts and experiences for any child who is learning about what it means to follow Islam. A solid choice for children seeking to learn more about the faith for assignments or to satisfy their own intellectual curiosity.—Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH

School Library Journal

2018-01-22
This nonfiction volume, part of the Origins series on holidays, introduces Muslims' month of fasting and gives a taste of how it is celebrated around the world.Khan opens the volume with a personal anecdote of her first attempt at fasting, when she was 9 years old, and the lessons she has since learned about the fast. She goes on to explain the main tenets of the Islamic faith and how Ramadan fits into the belief system, including information about lunar calendars as compared to solar calendars. With the basic facts established, the author goes into more detail about the stages of the month of Ramadan, specific ways in which Muslims give back to their communities during the month, and samples of Ramadan traditions from countries around the world. The book is generously illustrated with stock photographs of people of many ethnic backgrounds and nationalities observing Ramadan, as well as places that are important to Muslims. Each chapter ends with a one-page story showcasing one child's experience of Ramadan. Included throughout the book in sidebars are children's quotes about what the month means to them, traditional stories, facts, and recipes. Words defined in the glossary are italicized in the text. The personal perspectives elevate this volume above an average informational book; readers, both non-Muslims and Muslims, can step into the shoes of someone from another background. Wide in scope and personal in presentation, this book is a good choice for learning about Muslims' traditions as expressed in various cultures. (author's note, series editor's note, glossary, resources, index) (Nonfiction. 9-14)

Kirkus Reviews