Ramadan Around the World, by Ndaa Hassan

Title: Ramadan Around The World
Author: Ndaa Hassan
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Illustrator: Azra Momin
Publisher: Ndaa Hassan
Released: 2018
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 40
Source: I had won a hard copy from My Little Ruhm in a giveaway held in Instagram.
Rating: 5/5
Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Official Website

Join the Ramadan Moon as it travels the world to visit children and their families observing Ramadan. Ramadan Around The World showcases how various cultures celebrate the Islamic holiday. The purpose of this book is to illustrate the diversity of the global Muslim community. Children of various nationalities and abilities are represented throughout the book. Families of diverse sizes and demographics have also been equally represented. This book is an adventurous read for children and useful as an educational tool for educators.

Bilal is hearing-impaired.
His Mom signs to him, “Alhumdulillah!”
“Thanks be to God, Ramadan is here!”
– Ramadan Around The World, Ndaa Hassan

The Ramadan moon invites us to join her as she travels around the world giving us an insight into the multicultural ways of celebrating Ramadan. The story takes the reader to different parts of the world, making sure to cover all the continents.

Ramadan Around The World is the most inclusive Muslim children’s book that I have read so far, with the theme of Ramadan. I love how the author shows the diversity in culture, tradition, cuisine, landscape, and even in the spellings of some names. The author has also taken care to include people of all abilities, from a boy in a wheelchair to one who is autistic.

Huge credit and applause goes to the illustrator for doing a brilliant job in bringing the story to life, which, in my opinion, is the most appealing factor in piquing an interest in children (sometimes even adults) to pick up a book. The vibrant and colourful pages makes the whole story a reality for children and adults alike.

The book ends with a list of glossary words and a short text on more information about Ramadan.

I loved how the author had mentioned her inspiration for writing this book – two verses from the Qur’an that talk about the diversity in the world:

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.
(Al Hujarat, 49:13)

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.
(Ar-Rum, 30:22)

Ramadan Around The World has the unique ability to connect with the reader not only through the diverse characters, but also in experiencing feelings of empathy for others through the story.

Overall, this is a must-have on your bookshelf, especially during Ramadan.

Have you read Ramadan Around The World? I would love to know your thoughts on it.

A special note of thanks and jazakillahu khayran to My Little Ruhm for this beautiful gift. I hold this book so closely to my heart.

By the way, this is a part of Ramadan Blog Hop that I have joined with some awesome bloggers below:

1. The BEST of the BEST; 5 simple acts we should do with our kids in Ramadan by Knowledge Dunes
2. 10 Ramadan Activities for Teens and Tweens by Jeddah Mom
3. Fun Ramadan Activity Books for your Children by Muslim Mummy
4. Get Your Kids Ready for Ramadan by Hidden Pearls