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| ABOUT
RAMADAN AND EID-AL-FITR
Ramadan, known as the holy month, is the ninth month of the Islamic
lunar calendar. During Ramadan, adult Muslims fast, not eating or
drinking between sunrise and sunset, and spend many hours in prayer.
At the end of Ramadan, signaled by the appearance of the new crescent
moon in the sky, fasting ends and the festival of Eid-al-Fitr begins.
Children look forward to wearing new clothes and shoes, eating special
foods with family and friends, receiving gifts of coins from relatives,
and perhaps even visiting fairgrounds. Although there is celebrating
and fun during the three-day festival, donating food to those in
need is also an important part of Eid-al-Fitr. |
NEW MOON IN THE SKY
Invite your child to try one of these art activities.
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Using a white crayon, draw a crescent moon on a piece of white
paper. As you color in the shape of the moon, be sure to press
down hard with the crayon. Give your child some black tempera
paint mixed with a little water. Then show him how to paint
over your drawing to reveal a new crescent moon in the black
night sky. |
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Have your child glue a crescent moon shape cut from aluminum
foil onto a piece of black construction paper. If you wish,
give him a few silver star stickers to add to his picture.
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| NEW CLOTHES
COLLAGE
Let your child look through store catalogs and advertisements
to find pictures of children wearing new clothes. Have her cut or
tear out the pictures she likes and glue them onto a piece of construction
paper to make a collage of clothes she thinks would be fun to wear
for the Eid-al-Fitr celebration. |
FESTIVAL COIN BANK
Invite your child to make a bank for holding coins he receives as
gifts. Rinse and dry a small milk carton and staple the top closed.
Cut a coin slot in one of the slanted sides. Have your child cover
the carton with tempera paint mixed with a small amount of dishwashing
liquid (to help the paint adhere). After the paint dries, help your
child count his coins before he drops them into his bank. Encourage
him to use some of his savings for a charitable cause.
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COUNTING TO
EID-AL-FITR
Young children always look forward to the festival of Eid-al-Fitr.
At the beginning of Ramadan, mark the day that Eid-al-Fitr begins
on a calendar. Then each day, invite your child to attach a sticker
to the calendar. When she has done so, count together how many days
remain until Eid-al Fitr. |
SHARING AND CARING
During Eid-al-Fitr, families remember the needy by sharing food. Let
your child help you put together a basket or bag of non-perishable
food items. Then together take the items to a local food bank or family
shelter. You might want to check ahead of time to find out the kinds
of foods that are particularly needed.
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RAMADAN IS
COMING SOON
Tune: "Mary Had a Little Lamb"
Ramadan is coming soon,
Coming soon, coming soon,
Ramadan is coming soon,
Time to fast and pray.
When we see the thin new moon,
Thin new moon, thin new moon,
When we see the thin new moon,
We'll celebrate and play.
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FESTIVAL FOOD TASTING
Try one or both of these snack ideas.
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If possible, take your child to a Middle Eastern restaurant
at Eid-al-Fitr to sample a few holiday foods. |
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Serve your child fruit topped with chopped dates and almonds
and flaked coconut. |
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