Championing Diversity: The Magic of Muslim Holiday Stories with Author Sahtinay Abaza

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From computer scientist to a storyteller weaving children's tales, Sahtinay Abaza's path has been anything but ordinary. Sahtinay’s picture books, The Ramadan Drummer  and Looking for the Eid Moon, serve as a magical gateway to understanding Muslim holidays, while simultaneously fostering universal values such as kindness and empathy. Her global perspective highlights how storytelling transcends borders, and her readings from her works offer a glimpse into the richness of diverse traditions and the educational possibilities they hold.

(00:03) Celebrating Muslim Holidays Through Picture Books

The first section of the conversation introduces Satiny Abaza, a children's book author with a unique background in computer science and a global perspective from living in Syria, the UAE, and the United States. We explore her journey into writing, inspired by the lack of engaging stories about Muslim holidays for her daughters, resulting in her picture books that blend cultural traditions with universal themes of kindness and community. We discuss ways her books, The Ramadan Drummer and Looking for the Eid Moon, can be used in classrooms to connect with  science, moon phases, community, and empathy. We touch on the importance of books as windows and mirrors for children, providing both self-reflection and understanding of others. Satiny also gives a reading from The Ramadan Drummer,  highlighting the impact of acts of kindness during Ramadan, and wraps up with directions for finding her work on social media.

(12:00) Encouraging Young Writers to Persevere

This section  offers valuable advice for young aspiring writers, emphasizing the importance of reading extensively and the power of perseverance. We highlight the need for budding authors to believe in themselves and the unique stories they have to tell, encouraging them to relentlessly pursue their passion for writing. 

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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.