Social Justice

Muslim Child

Understanding Islam through Stories and Poems
Rukhsana Khan, author, and Patty Gallinger, illustrator
[Morton Grove, IL: Albert Whitman & Company, 1999]

Reviewed by Pat Hoertdoerfer
Children, Family and Intergenerational Programs Director
Lifespan Faith Development, UUA
Boston, MA

Muslim Child
Child of Peace,
Child of War,
from a far-off distant shore,
what do your black eyes see?

This collection of short stories, poems and prose examines the world through the eyes of Muslim children. Through the different sections - The Opening: Fajr (prayer), Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad: Peace be upon him, Glimpses from the Life of Muhammed - children gain insight and understanding into the five pillars of Islam. These pillars of belief, prayer, fasting, charity and pilgrimage to Mecca are illustrated with stories from many places around the world including the United States, Pakistan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and England. Throughout the book sidebars by Irfan Alli explain Muslim terms and traditions, aspects of Muslim belief and practice referred to in the stories. Devotional poems, selections from the Quran, and activities appear in every section. Soft full-page pencil illustrations accompany the stories , and smaller illustrations are placed in the sidebars and activity pages.

Some of the stories are humorous, others are touching, but all are engaging stories of children learning and growing within their Muslim culture. In one story a Canadian boy is embarrassed to have his school friends see his mother in her full-body dress, with head and face coverings. In another tale a young American Muslim grumbles about having to wake before dawn for morning prayer and then spends a good amount of energy trying to suppress a fart, which will render the prayer ritually unclean. The resolutions of these and the other stories are positive and reinforce the Muslim beliefs. Although Khan's expressed purpose is to explain Islam to non-Muslim children, American Muslim children will be excited to find stories with characters to whom they can relate.

A pronunciation guide, a samosa recipe and instructions for making Eid Mubarak cards to mark the end of Ramadan complete this book. The combination of story and information makes this a useful book for religious educators and ministers in intergenerational worship or children's chapel, RE teachers of 6- to 12-year-old children, UU families in multicultural communities, and persons/families wishing to learn more about Islam. This book is available in most bookstores and from online book sellers. Prices range from $10 to $15 plus shipping and handling.