Jack and Allie’s Celebrates Islamic Culture
Printer-friendly versionSince its opening in 2014, Jack and Allie’s children’s bookstore in Vernon, Connecticut, has served as a welcoming place for the city’s diverse religious communities, and owner Barbara Kahn has made a special effort to engage the area’s Muslim population.
Kahn, whose husband emigrated from Pakistan to England 25 years ago, then to the U.S., said, “Before we married, I had not realized what a large and underserved Islamic community we have here in Vernon.”
Noting how difficult it can be to find Islamic books in bricks-and-mortar shops, Kahn said that she stocks Jack and Allie’s Culture and Spirituality section with books on the Christian, Jewish, and Islamic faiths and also carries general-interest books that feature Muslim characters, such as Aisha Saeed’s Written in the Stars (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2015).
The store also invites the community to events celebrating Islamic culture. Earlier this summer, Jack and Allie’s held its third annual celebration of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.
Islam celebrates two Eids each year: Eid al-Fitr, which occurs in July, is the festival marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and the breaking of the fast; Eid al-Adha, the festival of the sacrifice, is celebrated in September.
Jack and Allie’s has seen people come from as far away as New York (the store is located in the center of Connecticut) to attend its Eid al-Fitr celebration, because there are so few children’s-centered Eid activities, said Kahn. “Locally, we have more and more non-Muslim attendees every year. The parents come hoping to teach their children, and they end up learning so much themselves.”
After their son was born, Barbara and her husband decided to send him to an Islamic school for kindergarten and first grade to help him learn more about the culture; while he was there, Kahn also learned. “As I learned, I saw so many more similarities between East and West than differences,” she said. Then, hearing several fellow parents express regret that there were so few children-focused Eid events, Kahn was inspired to launch one at the bookstore.
Jack and Allie’s held its first Eid celebration in July of 2014, just two months after the store opened, and invited the public to attend and learn about the holiday. “I figured all kids love a celebration, so why not open it up to the whole community, and let the kids teach each other while having fun,” said Kahn.
This year’s July celebration of Eid al-Fitr kicked off with themed story time. Kahn’s current favorite holiday book, she said, is Ramadan Moon by Na’ima B. Robert and illustrated by Shirin Adl (Frances Lincoln Children’s Books), which captures the spirit of the holiday through poetic text. Kahn was also excited to discover It’s Ramadan, Curious George by H.A. Rey and illustrated by Hena Kahn (HMH Books for Young Readers), which debuted in May.
“After we read, we have a discussion where the kids who celebrate Eid tell the kids who don’t all about it. Then we talk about what holidays the other children celebrate that might be similar in some ways. Everyone gets to ask questions and share stories of their own celebrations,” said Kahn.
During craft time, kids made “Eid Mubarak” banners, reflecting the traditional Eid greeting, and painted sunsets that became the backdrop for a silhouette cut-out of an Islamic city. Attendees also had the chance to try traditional sweets from a nearby Pakistani restaurant.
Each year, the store tries to mix activities up because there are so many repeat attendees, said Kahn. In previous years, the store has offered tasbih making (similar to a prayer rope or a rosary), henna painting, and Islamic calligraphy.