Text size: A A A

What's Happening...

Ramadan

For Muslims, Ramadan celebrates the month during which the prophet Muhammad was visited by the angel Gabriel and received the first of the revelations that comprise the Qur'ān, the holy book of Islam. As one of the Five Pillars of Faith, fasting is an integral part of the celebration of this particular Islamic holy month. From sunrise to sundown, the faithful are called to fast, refraining from food and drink. The daily fast is broken by a light meal called the iftar, followed by the evening prayer. The preferred food for the iftar is dates and water.

Ramadan is a special time for families to gather together and share in their faith. The nights are often devoted to special prayers and to recitations from the Qur'ān. In our collection, you will find many wonderful children’s books devoted to the celebration of Ramadan. Whether you are a practicing Muslim or simply interested in learning more about this important Islamic holiday, what better way to discover the wonder of faith and family than through a child’s eyes?

The conclusion of Ramadan is celebrated by a great festival, Īd al-Fitr. Because it is based on the Islamic lunar calendar, Ramadan varies from year to year. This year, it falls on July 20th.

~Khris, Centennial Park

Books:

The white nights of Ramadan, by Maha Addasi illustrated by Ned Gannon.

Islam: a short guide to the faith, by edited by Roger Allen & Shawkat M. Toorawa

Islam: a short history, by Karen Armstrong

Islam: beliefs and observances, by Caesar E. Farah

Celebrate Ramadan & Eid al-fitr, by Deborah Heiligman; consultant, Neguin Yavari

Islamic art and architecture, by Robert Hillenbrand

Moon watchers: Shirin's Ramadan miracle, by Reza Jalali; illustrated by Anne Sibley O'Brien

Ramadan, by Julie Murray

Under the Ramadan moon, by Sylvia Whitman; illustrated by Sue Williams



DVD's:

American Ramadan [videorecording] / JustSayGo Films ; a Naeen Randhawa film ; director and producer, Naeem Randhawa ; executive producers, Azhar Azeez, Gulam Bakali, Naeem Randhawa.