Whether it is for work or higher education, many Muslim families are settling down in the US, Canada, and other countries. The children are growing up in an environment that is different from their parents' environments, a place where the practice of Islam is not the norm, but the exception.
It can be tough for Muslim kids growing up in the US. For young kids, it is not easy being different. They struggle with their own identities and they have a hard time fitting in. Unlike all the other American kids at school, the Muslim child must pray the noon-time prayer, fast during the month of Ramadan, and his/her mom covers her hair and does not look like the other kids' moms.
The feeling of isolation is compounded even more if racist slurs are thrown at the child too and if the child's religion (Islam) is being associated with being a terrorist or a threat to America or a hater of American ideals. Incidents of racism and hostility towards Muslim children do not happen all the time, but they can and do occur.
In her article for FaithStreet, Hailey Woldt wrote, “These underlying preconceptions are deeply affecting Muslim children as well. Not only do they feel cut off from their non-Muslim classmates, but they hear adult rhetoric and watch their actions. Although they have grown up in America, have American accents and watch American shows, many Muslim children are growing up feeling excluded by American society.”
Hailey Woldt is an Ibn Khaldun Research Fellow at American University and a research associate at the Berkley Center for Peace, Religion and World Affairs at Georgetown University.
Sometimes these kids are even rejected by their elderly family member or relatives as being “too American.”
“They have no identity with which to anchor themselves. The unintended consequences of this could be placing them in the untenable position of choosing between being American or being Muslim, a psychological identity crisis that could be very hard, if not impossible, to reconcile,” added Woldt.
Parents, educators, community leaders, writers, and volunteers at the mosques should help kids of all ages understand that they can be both; Muslim and proud to be a Muslim, and also American and proud to be an American.
Amin Aaser, of Pakistani origin, grew up in America and he faced the same challenges that Muslim kids today are facing.
“As I thought about my childhood, I realized a bitter truth: I had been ashamed of my Muslim identity. I had loved when my mom cheered during baseball games- but after 9/11, I became embarrassed of her headscarf and asked her to stop attending. Fasting had taught me gratitude- but, when friends asked about it, insecurity caused me to hide the Islamic intentions behind my practice. Time and again, I felt ashamed of my faith in front of my American peers. I wished I had not been so embarrassed of my identity,” said Aaser.
Aaser began interviewing parents at the mosque in his town in the state of Minnesota, and they all shared the same concern.
In search of a solution to this problem, Aaser's creative idea was born: a series of fun books geared towards American Muslim kids.
Islamic principles should be delivered to children in a more engaging, attractive, and enjoyable way, and reading stories is one of the good ways to accomplish this.
Noor Kids is a collection of books for little kids, ages 3 to 8 years, growing up in North America. The stories revolve around four characters – Amin, Shireen, Asad, and Amira. These kids are American; they eat cereal for breakfast, play baseball, and go to an American public school, but they are Muslim kids and they hold on dearly to their Islamic principles. Young readers can relate to these characters who serve as positive and attainable role models. The stories end with discussion questions for parents and children to participate together in answering, and thinking about the lessons learned.
There is a wide range of titles and important issues covered, such as The Power of Prayer, Noor Kids Discover Patience, Family Matters, and Noor Kids go to Hajj. Each story also introduces to the child a Hadith (saying) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and verses from the Holy Qur'an.
One mother said, “We love Noor Kids because they are easy to read and understand. The books teach kids good values without sounding too educational! My kids also like doing the puzzles and we practice the Arabic words at the end of each book.”
Another excellent series of books for young children is the Kids of the Ummah books. It comes in beautifully designed books and phone apps that are interactive and include games and coloring activities. It features wonderfully illustrated Muslim characters in 26 diverse cities around the world, from award-winning graphic designer and artist, Peter Gould. The books help children become familiar with Muslim names and diverse cities and Muslim cultures around the world. Developed with feedback from teachers and educators, this series is much loved by parents and kids alike.
The talented Peter Gould has designed the coolest apps, books, and games for Muslim kids, enjoyed by families all over the world. Salam Sisters can be downloaded on your phone or I-pad; they serve as a fun and entertaining way for young girls to learn about Islamic concepts and to solve common problems that they may encounter at school or home. The stories are about diverse, loveable, and friendly Muslim female characters.
Gould is working on a series of apps and books designed to encourage learning in a fun, multicultural environment.
Through coloring books, puzzles, board games, and songs or nasheed, we can help our children learn more about Islam in a fun and enjoyable way.
