Knowledge is power, as the saying goes, and no one is more curious than children. It’s important to expose them to all sorts of cultures. Not only is it a great learning experience, but you also help develop that drive and appreciation for life. One California mother, for example, took the opportunity to teach her own children about Ramadan, a Muslim holiday. Of course, kids being kids, they had some pretty far-out questions!
TikToker Aleen (TikTok/aleenv01) starts off her TikTok video with a whiteboard, and offers a simple explanation of Ramadan. “When the sun is up, they cannot eat,” Aleen says, drawing food, “Then when the moon comes up, when it’s dark, they can eat,” which they do with their families.
Luke, one of Aleen’s sons, asks, “So we’re not gonna eat breakfast?” Aleen clarifies that no, they’re not. They’re Christians and don’t celebrate Ramadan. She then brings up the fact their friends at school might, and that it’s important to understand how to handle that.
“So what can you do to support them?” Aleen asks. Levi suggests giving their Muslim friends a “treat” for when they break their fast. Despite the fasting itself not being long at all, it’s sweet to hear kids being so aware and kind.
Aleen then suggests their children could resist the urge to eat their meal in front of their Muslim friends. “You can maybe go eat it in private,” she says. When asked why, Aleen says it’s so you don’t “hurt their feelings.”
This seemed to really get her kids asking both reasonable and curious questions. What if Muslims just chewed their food and spat it out? What’s with all the holidays, anyway? What if a Christian was with their Muslim friends during Ramadan? What about gifts? No matter the question, Aleen made it very clear Muslims knew what they were doing and that no one was “starving.” She even told them what to say to other Muslims during Ramadan: “Ramadan, Kareem.”
Numerous comments showered Aleen with praise for the way she handled explaining Ramadan, pronunciation, and her children’s hilarious commentary.
“The way you said Quran… ma’am are you undercover?!” asked another commenter.
“We’re all fasting together year,” said another commenter, and shared their participation in Lent. This year it actually happens at the same time as Ramadan.
One commenter shared her experience dealing with their Muslims friends during Ramadan. As a non-Muslim, rather than hide away when you’re eating—which she stated wasn’t “shameful”—it was an opportunity for conversation. “I always say Happy Ramadan and ask them to share about their Iftar plans,” they said. I’d want to know that too, because I’m trying to be inspired towards other foods!
