Tag Archives: friday

Dec24

Our Neighborhood: Friday Fun by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

Posted on by
Standard
Our Neighborhood: Friday Fun by Marzieh Abbas illustrated by Anoosha Syed

img_8215-1

At 26 pages and 55 words, this adorable board book conveys Jumu’ah sunnahs, joy, Islam, and community.  The simple rhyming words and bright engaging illustrations are meant for babies to three year olds, but I have a house full of older kids and this book made them all smile.  The book is part of a larger non fiction series, “Our Neighborhood,” that focuses on different communities, and the first of two that celebrate Islam.  “Excited for Eid” will be released before the end of the year.  The 7 x 7 size and thick pages can work in small groups in addition to bedtime.  Whether your audience is Muslim kids learning about Jumu’ah, or non Muslims learning about what Muslims do on Fridays, the book will have a large appeal and be a joy to read over and over.

The book establishes it is Friday and then the characters get ready for Jumu’ah at the masjid.  They shower and groom, and trim, and head to the mosque for a talk before the adhan signals the time to pray.  After duas they give charity, hug their friends, and share a meal.

The little kids, male and female, pray together, but I took it to be realistic as often little kids are with one parent and are not segregated like the adults.  The illustrations show some of the kids in hijabs, others not, some of the adults in duputta style head coverings, others in hijab, and some in niqab.  “Allah” is written in Arabic above the mimbar, and the word “sadaqah” is on a box under donations and above mosque.  All the other words are the English versions of the word, except Adhan is in the text and not defined as the call to prayer.  There is no glossary.  The book really is for Muslims, by Muslim, but as a mainstream published book, it also is an easy window to open for non Muslims to see us in our element on Jumu’ah, alhumdulillah.

img_8222-1

Aug11

Zain’s Super Friday by Hena Khan illustrated by Nez Riaz

Posted on by
Standard
Zain’s Super Friday by Hena Khan illustrated by Nez Riaz

img_9576

I love the joy and normalizing of mainstream titles celebrating salat, Jummah, and the masjid becoming increasingly available for us to read and share.  This particular book is great for preschool to early elementary aged children that enjoy going to the masjid, but sometimes want to put on a cape and be the hero battling aliens, that know how to behave during salat, but sometimes have a hard time sitting still, and parents that want to play with their kids, but sometimes have to get some work done first.  With  threads of patience, kindness, and determination woven in to masjid activities, the book is both a mirror for Muslim kids and a window for those that wonder what a Friday prayer service looks like.  The 32 page book is unapologetic, joyful, and a great addition to book shelves.

img_9578

Zain wakes up early Friday morning and is ready to save the world. Dad greets Zain with a “Jum’uah Mubarak,” but has to pass on battling the aliens taking over the kitchen.  At lunchtime, when dad takes a break from work, Zain tries again to engage him in heroic play, but it is time for Jum’uah.  Zain slips on his cape and vows to protect everyone.

When they get to the mosque, aka command central, Zain tries again, but dad redirects him to make wudu before salat. Heat action dries his feet, but the adhan starts and giant shoes and aliens will have to wait, yet again.  During the khutbah, wiggly Zain sits by his dad, but when the Imam encourages them to stand for salat and fill any gaps, Zain takes it as a call to duty and races to the front announcing, “Here I come, Commander Imam, reporting for duty.”

The kind Imam knows just what to do, and as Zain controls his focus, even dad finds time to be a hero and battle the aliens on this super Friday at the mosque.

img_9580

I love that wudu, athan, khutbah, Imam, are all used without a glossary and that the Author’s Note is informative and unapologetic in tying it all together and making the terms clear.  I wish masjid was used instead of mosque, but I know that is just my personal preference.  I love that the Imam is kind and the dad is gentle and playful.  Even when Zain is not getting to do what he wants, he is not unhappy with being at Jumuah, or making salat, or being redirected, he just wants to indulge his imagination.  The warmth and joy of the illustrations reinforces the tone of the book, and with the inclusion of charity, and the happy ending, I can’t wait to have a physical copy of this book in my hands.

The book releases on October 10, 2023 and can be preordered/ordered here on Amazon and I’m sure will be available once released at Crescent Moon Store, where my initials ISL at checkout will always save you 10%.

img_9582

Jan16

Ahmed Goes to Friday Prayer: Ahmed se va a la oración del viernes by Wendy Díaz illustrated by Muhammad & Mariam Suhaila Guadalupe

Posted on by
Standard
Ahmed Goes to Friday Prayer: Ahmed se va a la oración del viernes by Wendy Díaz illustrated by Muhammad & Mariam Suhaila Guadalupe

 

ahmed

 

This dual lingo: English and Spanish is a linear story of Ahmed going for Jummah prayers.  The rhyming text in both languages is fairly consistent and the information framed in an upbeat, fun, positive way.  From waking up early and taking ghusl to reading Surah al-Kahf, the book shows some spiritual aspects, some sunnah reminders, and social Jummah interactions with friends as well.  The 48 pages are good for preschool to early elementary aged readers and with the minimal text on the pages, even younger listeners will enjoy the book.  I wish the religious statements were sourced, and while I didn’t initially love the aesthetics of the puppets when I first saw the cover, I definitely warmed up to Ahmed and absolutely cooed at the adorable (puppet) Imam.  The book starts with a sourced hadith and ayat from the Quran and ends with questions to test your knowledge.

The story begins in a bit of an awkward fashion with Ahmed breaking down the fourth wall, and addressing the reader, and then on the next page, the “narrator” reaching out to the readers to have them pay attention to Ahmed.  Then the story starts with asking if the reader knows what the special day of the week is called.  It then tells us that it is called Friday in English, Jummah in Arabic and that I, Ahmed, is going to tell us about it.  With all the introductions and signposting it makes the book actually start 11 pages in.  I read the first few spreads numerous times trying to see what was going on, and finally just realized it has a lot of framing and set up before diving in.  Alhumdulillah, after the repetitive first few pages, the book reads smooth and clearly.  

Ahmed wakes up, does ghusl, puts on nice clothes, and then waits until midday to go to salatul Jummah.  Muslims read Surah al-Kahf, and then get to the mosque early.  It is noted that we get rewards for every step we take, we are encouraged to praise our Lord, we greet friends with Salam, and after athan we sit calmly and quietly listening to the Imam.  The khutbah talks about our faith and then we pray foot to foot closing the gaps. The last few spreads are about the importance of Jummah.

The illustrations show Ahmed the puppet in different places with other Wendy Diaz books displayed in poster form, books on side tables, and graffitied on a wall. The only other character beside Ahmed and the Imam is Ahmed’s un named friend.  The simple illustrated backgrounds with puppets in the foreground, the minimal rhyming text and the content presentation make this book a great addition to home and school libraries as well as ideal at story time or bedtime where early elementary aged children are able to understand both the excitement and protocols of the blessed day.

img_5601

Over the years I’ve done a few Jummah themed readings and this book would be a great addition at story time.  You can purchase the book here.

Feb22

Samira’s Trip to the Masjid by Yara Kaleemah illustrated by Aveira Cartoon

Posted on by
Standard

img_8520

I’m a big fan of books featuring BIPOC leads in everyday situations, but when the quality of the product is subpar, I truly am conflicted if I should mention the book, or just tuck it away and pretend I never read it.  I’ve had this book tucked away for a while now, but I am pulling it out to bring attention to the importance of editors, proofers and revising.  The bar has been raised, Islamic fiction is becoming more and more mainstream.  The quality of many self published books rival and exceed traditionally published options, that to be putting out content that contains grammar errors (missing words, punctuation, random line breaks), spelling errors, voice and point of view inconsistencies, illustration errors, and content mishaps in a 26 page picture book, is not acceptable.  I feel like you are hurting the goal of representation and reflection, more than boosting it, when it is not well done.  I know that is harsh, but sadly minorities always have to do things better, it isn’t right, but it is the way it is.  You can argue my opinion that the story is too wordy or text heavy, but the technical components and final package in a $12 book, really need to be resolved.  The overall concept of the story is lovely: the Islamic details, the reminders about the sunnahs of Jummah, the little girl being excited to wear her favorite scarf and see a friend at the masjid, it really had a lot of potential.

img_8522

Samira greets the reader with As Salaamu Alaikum, as the fourth wall is breached and introduces herself as being a Muslim.  She then explains what being a Muslim is and tells the reader it is Jummah.  She asks her Ummi why we go to the masjid on Friday, before chiming in with all the information she in fact does know about Jummah.

img_8524

The next page details wudu as she prepares to go to the Masjid.  She then explains hijab as she tries to find her favorite green khimar with polka dots.  The words hijab, scarf and khimar are used interchangeable, causing a bit of confusion,  She explains that hijab is required by Allah swt to guard your chastity and that He also requires us to wear a khimar to the masjid.  I wish it would have clarified that we have to be covered when we pray, not necessarily just going to the masjid as she is a child, and many masjids are more than just places to pray, often having community halls and gyms.

img_8525

As the story continues she cannot find her favorite khimar no matter where she looks.  Ummi tries to give her some places to check, but in typical mom fashion, Samira can’t find it anywhere, and mom can find it immediately.  Samira shares some information about wearing your best clothes and they are off to the masjid not wanting to be late and hoping to get to the masjid first as the angels keep a record.  She finds her friend, and settles in to listen to the khutbah (misspelled as “Iman’s lecture” in the book).

img_8527

The conclusion of the book says “that even though Samira couldn’t find her favorite khimar, she was happy to take a trip to the masjid…”.  But she did find her favorite khimar? And on the very last page she is wearing the same shirts as she was at the masjid, but the polka dots have vanished from her green scarf?

img_8526

I’m hoping the author, illustrator, and publisher will clean up the book and someday republish it, we need these voices and images.