MWA's Zainab John Reviews Children's Book: Ramadan by Farah Kinani

Leila, the daughter of one of Kinani's friends, was the inspiration for this book. Leila told Kinani what happened one day at School when she told her friends she would not be joining them for lunch. Her friends who at the time did not know nor understand anything about Ramadan,the Muslim holy month of fasting, encouraged Leila to hide and eat or have something to drink, and some even thought Leila was being punished or on a time out. Kinani, shocked by the children's response, decided to visit Leila's school to give  a short talk about the holy month of Ramadan. Hence, this book is the author's attempt to educate and answer questions about Ramadan and to give mainly the non-Muslim reader, primarily children and teens, some idea of what Muslims do during Ramadan.

It is a well-informed piece of writing with several colourful illustrations, a glossary and Islamic calendar at the end of the book. The language and writing style is simple and very descriptive, making it easy for children to read and understand. Therefore, I  think it's a wonderful and smart choice of book for both Muslim and non-Muslim children alike to learn about Ramadan, its significance and the different rituals practised by Muslims during this month. I think it would also be very useful to teachers who wish to educate their class of majority non-Muslim children about Ramadan.

Zainab John on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/ladyzainabjohn 

Farah Kinani on Facebook

http://www.facebook.com/farah.kinani  

Originally Published at Muslimah Voices

http://muslimahvoicesbookclub.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/book-review-ramadan-by-farah-kinani

Purchase "Ramadan" Online

http://creativeeducationandpublishing.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=61

ABOUT MWA MEMBER ZAINAB JOHN
Michelle Alicia John, also known by her Islamic name, Zainab John, is Guyanese by birth and born to parents who converted from Christianity to Islam. She migrated from Guyana, South America to London, England where she currently resides. She graduated from the University of Guyana with a Diploma in Social Work and Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) and is currently a Trainee Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX). Michelle is also a wife, stay at home mum, blogger, parent mentor, child protection advocate volunteer and an aspiring author.

ABOUT MWA MEMBER FARAH KINANI 

 

 

MWA Member and Freelance Writer, Ruth Nasrullah on her Conversion/Reversion to Islam …

In this interview, Ruth Nasrullah, an American Revert, talks to Muslimah Voices about her reversion to Islam and shares some her experiences and challenges as a revert Muslim woman.

Medium: This interview was conducted via Email. Hence, the Question and Answer format.

"When I read the Quran I recognized it as truth. I always say to people it’s as though if I had been raised without mirrors and someone held one in front of me - I wouldn't know what I looked like but I would have recognized myself. I don’t remember any particular surah or ayat."

Ruth Nasrullah: I’m 51, live in Houston, originally from New Jersey, freelance journalist, involved in several community activities. I’m married and have an adult daughter and two adult stepsons.

My dad is Jewish and my Mom was raised American Baptist and when they married they both pretty much left religion behind.  They raised my sister and me free to choose our own faith practice, if any.  I went to Sunday school at a local Unitarian church for a couple years, where I learned about the faiths of the world.  In high school I briefly considered Hinduism, but that was mostly because of the Beatles, incense, clothing and similar things that have little to nothing to do with the faith itself.  During my senior year I joined the local United Synagogue Youth and considered formally converting to Judaism.  (Because I had a non-Jewish mother, I would have had to convert.)  Eventually, however, I saw Judaism as too insular. Read more ...

INTERVIEW: MWA member Isahah Janette Grant on her book, publishing and conversion to Islam

MWA member Isahah Janette Grant

Isahah Janette Grant has been a Muslim revert for over 13 years alhamdulillah. She is author of the children’s book, Sameerah’s Hijab and the First Day of School, a journalist for Examiner.com, and a founding member of Muslimah Writers Alliance (MWA), an internationally based collaboration of Muslim women writers and advocates working to counter negative and inaccurate perceptions of members of the Muslim community, where she serves as the organization's member coordinator.

Ms. Grant also owns and manages Mindworks Publishing Inc., a community based desktop publishing business. She is also working on completing her first work of fiction. Ms. Grant studied at Boston University in Massachusetts majoring in Print Journalism and currently resides in Missouri City, Texas. (Read Parts 1 & 2 at Muslimah Voices) (Part 3)