The White Nights of Ramadan

Synopsis: 

The story is about a little girl named Noor, who is getting ready for the Girgian festival – which happens in the middle of Ramadan when the moon is full. In the story we first see Noor helping make special hard candy treats with honey, sugar and nuts. Then the kids decorate their bags with different ribbons. Next, the kids wear special clothes (this is my favorite illustration! Noor’s dress is so pretty!) Then the kids go around the neighbourhood collecting treats from neighbours. At the end of the story, Noor goes with her grandfather to share a food basket with others at the masjid. 

Why I like it: 

• It introduces people to the cultural festival of Girgian/Gargaoun/Garangaou which I was not aware of before this book. 
• It includes a glossary for words like iftar, koran, mosque, ramadan, suhoor, muezzin, zakat-il-fitr, noor
• There’s lots of cultural elements – dishdasha, Girgian, “the three whites”, atayef, fanous, musaher
• The illustrations are lovely!

Things that could be improved: 

• The names of Noor’s brothers are Sam and Dan. That was just odd, and I think that Islamic names would have been better.
• In the story the grandmother reminds Noor that “Ramadan can be fun but remember that the true meaning of Ramadan is spending time with family and sharing with those less fortunate”. Spending time with family is NOT what Ramadan is about, and it really bothers me when authors try to push this narrative. 
• In the author’s note she mentions that collecting treats in Girgian is like trick or treating. I think it’s unnecessary to associate it to trick or treating in any way even to “explain” it to western readers. 

Additional Activities: 

• Look up a recipe and make those candy or atayefeh!
• Your kids can do a Girgian bag craft
• Pinterest Board: click here

Overall: 

This is a unique book about the middle eastern cultural festival known as Girgian/Gargaoun/garangaou that takes place during Ramadan (it is NOT an Islamic festival). It was completely new for me! It’s celebrated in Kuwait and other gulf countries (I’ve read that its celebrated in Saudi Arabia as well but I have not seen anyone celebrate it)

The story is about a little girl named Noor, who is getting ready for the Girgian festival – which happens in the middle of Ramadan when the moon is full. In the story we first see Noor helping make special hard candy treats with honey, sugar and nuts. Then the kids decorate their bags with different ribbons. Next, the kids wear special clothes (this is my favorite illustration! Noor’s dress is so pretty!) Then the kids go around the neighbourhood collecting treats from neighbours. At the end of the story, Noor goes with her grandfather to share a food basket with others at the masjid. 

While I couldn’t find more information on the origin of the tradition, I found that it’s a festival to celebrate the kids’ efforts as they have fasted half way through Ramadan. Initially it used to be simple, but these days it’s a more elaborate event!

Other reviews:

Reem Faruqi