Reading and writing with Ramadan

Frocked in an underlayer of ebony black with a medium gray headscarf, it was the translucent cape that transformed visiting author Zainab Khan, and current senior parent, into a darkened, but starry night sky. Glittering with orbs and stars, she enchanted K-4 students with two literary workshops.

Reading from her new book, Noura’s Crescent Moon (illustrated by Nabila Adani) Ms. Khan projected illustrations of her book onto the screen as she drew students into the story of Noura’s first fast as she eagerly scoured the night skies for the new moon of Ramadan, which triggers the celebration of Eid ul-Fitr and the end of the 29- to 30-day observation.

“Noura had been fasting since dawn,” read Ms. Khan, as her character’s family prepared for the special family dinner, or iftar, which they would feast upon after sundown. Iftar consists of special appetizers and foods that aren’t usually eaten the rest of the year. A sparkly party dress and “pink milk,” made by Noura (a combination with milk and sugared rosewater) completed the picnic dinner.

With quick and subtle invites from Ms. Khan as she continued the story, the students’ excitement began to ramp up as, along with Noura – whose name means “light” in Arabic – they looked for the moon with pointed fingers, drew zig zags in the air as they drove up the small hill for the lunar viewing, and created gestures of the sun sinking. 

With no moon on the horizon, Noura and the students wondered if Eid would happen that night; then Ms. Khan turned the page. “I see it! I see it!” shouted out the students from the carpet of the Lower School Library as they spied the silvery crescent moon. And so Eid ul-Fitr began.

“Now, children,” said Ms. Khan as she closed her book, “who celebrates Eid?... Who celebrates Christmas? Hanukkah? Diwali? Kwanzaa? If you celebrate something special in your family, raise your hand!” Pretty soon, all hands were stretched upward. “Now look at each other. Everyone celebrates something. That’s wonderful. Clap for yourselves!”

After a quick turn-and-talk, in which students asked a partner what they celebrated and why, Ms. Khan inquired, “How many of you saw that we celebrate in the same way – new dresses, presents, parties?”

Four years in the making, from concept to publication, Noura’s Crescent Moon is Ms. Khan’s first book after teaching Kindergarten to 7th grade over 10 years, and running her own preschool following some frustration in the classroom. “I like to make sure kids can reach their potential and I didn’t always feel that in schools,” she said.

Holding up four fingers, she answered a student, “It took me four years to write this book, but I wrote the story in one day. Then I rewrote it and rewrote it again and then sat with my editor and we rewrote it yet again.”

Jumping from teaching to writing, Ms. Khan was drawn to the possibility of reaching a wider audience. “I wanted to teach love, empathy and kindness; that we really are all the same,” she shared. “That all kids can connect and make bridges. And even though we look different on the outside, we are all the same inside.”

After listening, a second grader agreed and went further. “People could be the same on the inside, but they may feel differently on the outside, and that’s what makes everyone special.”

In a second session with 3rd and 4th graders, Ms. Khan explored the deeper significance of Ramadan, as well as the journey of writing a book. “Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, which means no drinking or eating,” she explained. “It’s how they share their love for God. Muslims also use a lunar calendar, much like the Chinese new year.”

From idea conception to brainstorming, to drafting, editing, and then multiple revisions, Ms. Khan deconstructed the writing process for students, emphasizing the need for an early outline she called a web. “How many of you have ever drawn a web?” she asked. “I like to put mine in a cloud because clouds are dreamy.” On a whiteboard, Ms. Khan drew an initial large cloud for her main idea of “Ramadan” as students volunteered ideas for smaller clouds. “Crescent moon! Fasting! Family! Eid ul-Fitr! Food! Community!” they suggested. “I also thought about presents, clothing, lunar month, and pink milk,” added Ms. Khan, as her web began to grow and take shape.

“And what happens after you write a draft?” she questioned the seated 3rd and 4th graders. “Edit?” asked one? “Not yet,” said Ms. Khan, looking around before answering. “I took a break. And what happens if you don’t look at your work for a couple of days?” “You get new ideas!” exclaimed one student.

Ms. Khan’s visit concluded with a final two-part project as she instructed the older students to interview their neighbor about a holiday they celebrate and family significance. “Then write how your friend’s holiday is like your own,” she finished.

Several pairs of students volunteered their findings – from Thanksgiving and Christmas, “We both get to be with our families,” to Christmas Eve, Christmas, and birthdays, “They’re all family gatherings,” to Holi and Ramadan – “She celebrates the new moon and I celebrate the new season of spring and we both go outside to play and feast.”

For Ms. Khan, the writing process goes hand-in-hand with hearing one’s voice. “Diversity is important to me as a diverse author, and so is perseverance and the ability for students to dive deeper into their thoughts. My job as a writer is to touch them meaningfully in life… for them to believe in themselves.”

To reach Ms. Khan or for follow-up questions, please email her at zzkbooks@gmail.com or her website, www.zzkbooks.com. All families are invited to the book launch of Noura’s Crescent Moon and a signed book at the Carle Place Barnes & Noble on April 27th at 11 am.

Photography by Alvin Caal/Friends Academy