Ramadan Mubarak – Teaching our Children about Cultural Diversity
Canada is a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicity and religious beliefs and we as Canadians, thrive in its environment. I, like most people of the Baby Boomer age group, taught our children about Christmas, Kwanza, Hanukkah, and many other religious holidays, but we lacked the knowledge of the Muslim faith to teach our children about this holiest month. Times have now changed and our children are teaching us about this month of prayer and fasting and a time for worship and contemplation.
What can you do to teach the children in your centre about Ramadan?
- On or about April 13, 2021 talk to the children about the Fast of Ramadan, what is it, how long it lasts. It starts from sundown on April 13 to sundown on May 12, 2021.
- Tell the children that Ramadan is a time to consider those less fortunate. It is believed that good deeds done during Ramadan are rewarded many times over.
- Teach the children to say “Ramadan/Eid kareem” which means “have a generous Ramadan/Eid” or Ramadan/Eid Mubarak which means “have a blessed Ramadan/Eid”. Or you can just say “Happy Ramadan or Happy Eid”
- Teach the children about cultural diversity. Children love the thought of Christmas with all the presents and turkey dinner. Explain to them that at the end of Ramadan, there is a feast of wonderful dishes and the exchanging of presents. This will let the children know that even though this holiday may be new to them, it is like Christmas to us Baby Boomers.
Bring cultural awareness and knowledge of world religions into your classrooms through reflection and introspection. With over 1.8 billion people worshiping this holy month, maybe we can bring peace to the world.
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