Customer Reviews

Magid Fasts for Ramadan

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Although at first I was pleased to see that a book for children had been published on Ramadan, I was very disappointed to discover the main premise of the story: that an 8-year old child is too young to fast. As a Muslim mother and teacher, I really found it incredible that the family discouraged Magid from fasting, and that he had to sneak in order to try. This is highly atypical of Muslim families in general (although perhaps more commonin Egypt). Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam; children have always been encouraged to fast at least a few days from the age of 7, and to increase the number of days fasted each year until they get used to it and are able to fulfill their religious requirement by the time they reach puberty. Although fasting may seem like a difficult and possibly even cruel thing to ask or allow a child to do, in fact millions of children around the world do so happily and successfully each Ramadan. Fasting as practiced in Islam (abstaining from food and drink from dawn to sunset) is good for the health, builds stamina and self-control, and develops empathy for the poor. Children really gain a tremendous sense of achievement when they complete even one day of fasting, and it is good for their self-esteem. I hope that we will see a more authentic book about a child's experience of fasting in the future, from a Muslim author.

I and my wife were very disappointed with this book as Muslim parents. The principles that the book promotes to it's audience, Muslim youth; are dangerous and erroneous ones. The child Majid, the main character in this story wants to begin fasting for Ramadan at age 7 and is not permitted by his parents, he disobeys and lies to his parents in order to follow his own desires. His sister who is 12 does not want to fast and is allowed to follow her own desires. Lying is a sin in Islam regardless of the reason, this is not a behavior that should be excused or accepted. At age seven a child is old enough to begin at least a partial fast and should in order to prepare him/her mentally and physically for the task when it is required of them at puberty. If this had been done with the sister in the story she would have been fully prepared and fasting at 12. This book appears on the surface to be benevelent and harmless but it promotes a false image of Islamic family behavior and values to non-Muslims and a very poor example for Muslim familes to follow. Absolutely not recommended.

Set in modern Egypt, with subdued watercolors, the book tells the story of Magid, who at age 8, wants to fast for Ramadan. His older sister, 12, is fasting, why can't he? She glares at him when he voices his desire to fast like everyone else in the household. The story realistically shows some sibling antagonisms. The story shows a close 3 generation family, waking early to eat and pray, making it through the day, and watching for the evening lanterns to be lit by the muezzin. Magid feels great pride as he skips breakfast and then lunch. He shows his openness to various levels of obedience when his friend Gamal informs him that Gamal's family is not into fasting. Magid breaks his fast with a date, just as The Prophet did, and the next day he skips breakfast again. But when he gets caught, he learns an important lesson. Along the way we learn why they fast, read about their relatives in Cairo and Detroit, and understand more about the spirit of Ramadan.

As a Muslim, I really liked this book, because it addresses typical Muslim issues. I thought it was very accurate, by the way; Islam does not require fasting until a person is past puberty. Fasting is required only for healthy adults (not the sick, pregnant, traveling, elderly, etc.), so -- although some Muslim children do enthusiastically try out a fast or two before puberty -- it's not a requirement and is not common. So I think this book was informative, representative of the Muslim experience, and empathetic. Recommended.

I just picked this book up from the library and my kids and I were *shocked* by the treatment of the subject matter. A boy who is almost 8 wants to try fasting but his parents actively prevent him from doing it?! And the 12 year old sister has only negative things to say about fasting? And the parents force the 12 year old to fast only because they don't want her to be the only kid at school not fasting? Huh?????

The idea that a family would actively prohibit their child from even *trying* fasting on his own and then get *angry* at them for trying is mind-boggling to me. I don't agree that fasting behind everyone's backs was "deceptive". Not surprisingly, Magid changes his mind about fasting at the end and decides that he's "too young" afterall. Wow. So in a few short years he can have the same negative attitude his sister has? So he can fast not because he wants to, not for God, but only for appearances?

It is also somewhat misleading that Magid's family says he will wait until he is older to fast when Ramadan will fall in the cooler months and then be easier. As Ramadan falls only 11 days earlier every year, most kids can't wait for the cooler months to start fasting.

Finally, the repeated emphasis on being a "truly obedient" Muslim rubs me the wrong way. Although some deeper reasons for fasting are briefly mentioned, the repetition of this phrase screams to me stereotypes of Islam as a religion that emphasizes strictness and unfeelingness and rote rules. Why is the emphasis not on being a "truly dedicated" Muslim or a "strong" Muslim or a Muslim who tries hard or a boy who can be like the grownups, or SOMETHING other than "obedient".

It's the first day of Ramadan, and Majid's parents tell him he isn't old enough to fast. (And Majid's older sister is expected to fast this year, and finds it very difficult.) But Magid doesn't want to wait and decides to fast secretly. This book is an answer to teachers' prayers for a satisfying story about Ramadan. Here is a young boy struggling with the challenges of his faith and being lovingly assisted by his family, which includes a grandparent living in the home. Their solution for both Magid and his sister demonstrates the loving compassion in Islam - compassion that finds particular demonstration during this special holy month.
This review was written by Muslim parents who disagree with M.Hassan's one-star review. Isn't diversity wonderful!

Teachers/Librarians: suitable for Kindergarten - 7th, social studies/humanities.

I bought this book for my sister's little girl. She has a Christian/American mother and a Muslim/Algerian father. I read the book myself before giving it as a gift. It is a very sweet book about a little boy and his family. The boy enjoys talking and learning about Islam with his grandfather who lives in the home with them. The child chooses to fast for Ramadan even though he is afraid his parents will not allow it because of his age. This a simple and sweet children's book that promotes understanding.

I really appreciate this book for not just discussing Ramadan but bringing up some issues surrounding Ramamdan. It allows Muslims to be human and assists us in appreciating all the trouble they go through in order to worship God in their own way. I wish I could have known about this book for Ramadan this year, but I will use it next year in my classroom.