Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan

Aliya’s parents are preparing for the month of fasting during Ramadan. Aliya wants to fast with them, but her parents tell her she is too young. Aliya decides to fast in secret to prove that she isn’t too young.

When her parents discover Aliya’s fasting secret, they help her understand that Ramadan is more than fasting.

In the “Author’s Notes”, author and illustrator Farida Zaman explains that, as a young girl, she also wanted to fast like her parents.

I discovered that there were other ways to be thankful. During Ramadan, Muslims don’t only fast. They also focus on their faith and perform generous acts, like raising money and donating supplies to help others in need. Aliya learns this in the story, just like I did when I was a little girl.

Zaman introduces the reader to words that may not be familiar to some. The meaning of some words is explained within the story. Other words are explained by the illustrations and the narrative, and some words are not explained, but readers will infer the meaning. A short glossary explains some of the words as well.

Unfortunately, a significant error adds confusion to the storyline and to the explanation of an important part of Ramadan.

The next morning, Aliya is up before dark (sic) to join Ammi and Abba for Sahoor —breakfast before sunrise.

Muslims rise before dawn for Sahoor. They rise while it is still dark. If you purchase this book, a possible correction of this passage could be: “The next morning, Aliya is up while it is still dark to join Ammi and Abba for Sahoor —breakfast before sunrise.”

Despite this shortcoming, the wonderful illustrations go a long way towards redeeming this book. The children and adults are portrayed to represent a variety of ethnicities by colour, hair, and clothing. One student in the classroom is also in a wheelchair. Stars and crescents are hung as celebration decorations. Most charming of all is the adorable cat that is clearly a family member.

If you choose to purchase Aliya’s Secret: A Story of Ramadan, make the simple correction changing “dark” to “dawn” before using it to introduce and explore Ramadan in words and pictures, and remember to look for the cat.