How Muslim American Families Prepare Kids for Their First Ramadan Fast

As Ramadan began on Friday night, Muslim American parents prepared their children for their first full fast from dawn to sunset. While children typically begin fasting around puberty, some were eager to start earlier, like 8-year-old Dunya Esfahani from Michigan, who said fasting made her feel “closer to God.”

Her mother, Maryam Jelvani, made it a special occasion with decorations and a Ramadan Mubarak sign. In Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Arab American population, many young kids chose to fast to feel included with their peers.

Some parents, like Nawal Alsaeed, eased their younger kids into fasting with half-day fasts. At iftar, families broke their fast with dates, jallab, and Arabic sweets like kunafa.

While pediatricians had mixed opinions on young children fasting, many parents encouraged gradual participation, ensuring their kids stayed hydrated and ate nutritious meals after sunset.

Source: NPR