A bright, beautiful book that Muslim children can see themselves in and their peers can use to learn about the important holiday Eid. Amira can’t wait for the festivities to begin and wear her new Eid shalwar kameez! But when a flier on the fridge catches her eye, Amira’s stomach goes cold. Not only is it Eid, it’s also school picture day! Though the day’s celebrations are everything Amira dreamed of, her absence at picture day weighs on her. A last-minute idea might just provide the solution to everything, AND she can teach her classmates about Eid! For Muslims, religious holidays align with the Lunar Calendar rather than the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. The first Eid falls after the month of Ramadan. Each month, including Ramadan, lasts for 29–30 days, depending on the sighting of the new moon. The first Eid in the Islamic Calendar is called Eid-ul-Fitr and marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting in the month of Ramadan. The second Eid of the Islamic Calendar is called Eid ul-Adha and marks the end of pilgrimage performed by many Muslims around the holy cities of Makkah and Madina. It involves slaughtering an animal and sharing the meat in three equal parts – for family, for relatives and friends, and for those in need. While slaughtering meat has become a common practice, the purpose behind it is to nurture a sense of community and responsibility to other humans, which can be undertaken in a myriad of ways. In my house, each Eid is a glorious occasion. Everyone’s favorite food is prepared, decorations are hung, and often times I stay up late assembling gifts for my toddler and any other friends or family we hope to meet. Having moved away from the Middle East, where Eid is often celebrated nationwide, to the U.S., books play a huge role in recreating an atmosphere of celebration and togetherness. I have gathered seven picture books about Eid that will help you share some of the joy that these wonderful traditions bring with them.
