“Muslims in Children’s Books” by Rukhsana Khan
I had originally decided on another article to comment on, but as I was researching “Nadia’s Hands” I came across this probing article. Khan says, “The desire to fit in, the intense longing to be part of the community, is hardwired into our psyches.” She speaks to one of the main focuses in our multicultural and diverse literature class; that there is extreme importance in children being able to see themselves in literature. This idea builds the foundation of a reading audience. Children will want to read more if they find it important, and if what they are reading seems to say that they are not important (the lack of “seeing” characters like them in literature), then they will be less likely to want to read.
Khan points out that there have been many books published about Islam now in this post-9/11 America to address misconceptions. Muslims have certainly been pushed forward from the background of American society. In her article, Khan addresses some misconceptions herself, such as, “that Islam encourages terrorism. Not at all. The targeting and terrorizing of innocent civilians is strictly forbidden in Islam.” Khan also argues that stories such as Aladdin are very outdated and do not help contemporary Muslim children feel represented in the literature society.
Khan also warns against superficial outsider stabs at creating “minority literature”. She is referring to such concepts we discussed in class like the “Cinderella” story that is filled with multicultural characters (the “__Cinderella” story). Khan emphasizes that “in many ways Islam is more than a “religion,” it is a way of life.” This is something that may be harder for outsiders to “get right”, but if well researched, Khan suggests, the book can be of great quality.
The Khan article brings to light not only misconceptions and an insider/outsider debate, but I have learned more than that which class discussed. Khan’s strength in her article lies in her hope, “to see the trend move away from these “Muslim as victim” scenarios. In these stories, being Muslim is part of the conflict. I'd like to see a character's Islamic identity be like wallpaper, part of the setting–providing flavor but definitely not part of the problem.” The only book in my collection that does not highlight Islam as being in conflict is the book she wrote, Silly Chicken. This article has not only enlightened me, but ensures that everyone can still learn. Khan’s anecdote at the end describes how her mind was opened a little wider. She was initially offended by the story, The Librarian of Basra, but a woman in Iraq helped change her mind. Instead of looking at the story of a librarian saving books compared to the lives around her that could not be saved, the Iraqi woman saw the story as about a woman who found that she could make a positive difference in a destructive world. Books are just books—not bulletproof vests or protection against bullying—but they can truly make all the difference. That Khan was relieved just to see a comic strip of a “normal” Muslim woman proves that literature of all sorts have worth.
I had originally decided on another article to comment on, but as I was researching “Nadia’s Hands” I came across this probing article. Khan says, “The desire to fit in, the intense longing to be part of the community, is hardwired into our psyches.” She speaks to one of the main focuses in our multicultural and diverse literature class; that there is extreme importance in children being able to see themselves in literature. This idea builds the foundation of a reading audience. Children will want to read more if they find it important, and if what they are reading seems to say that they are not important (the lack of “seeing” characters like them in literature), then they will be less likely to want to read.
Khan points out that there have been many books published about Islam now in this post-9/11 America to address misconceptions. Muslims have certainly been pushed forward from the background of American society. In her article, Khan addresses some misconceptions herself, such as, “that Islam encourages terrorism. Not at all. The targeting and terrorizing of innocent civilians is strictly forbidden in Islam.” Khan also argues that stories such as Aladdin are very outdated and do not help contemporary Muslim children feel represented in the literature society.
Khan also warns against superficial outsider stabs at creating “minority literature”. She is referring to such concepts we discussed in class like the “Cinderella” story that is filled with multicultural characters (the “__Cinderella” story). Khan emphasizes that “in many ways Islam is more than a “religion,” it is a way of life.” This is something that may be harder for outsiders to “get right”, but if well researched, Khan suggests, the book can be of great quality.
The Khan article brings to light not only misconceptions and an insider/outsider debate, but I have learned more than that which class discussed. Khan’s strength in her article lies in her hope, “to see the trend move away from these “Muslim as victim” scenarios. In these stories, being Muslim is part of the conflict. I'd like to see a character's Islamic identity be like wallpaper, part of the setting–providing flavor but definitely not part of the problem.” The only book in my collection that does not highlight Islam as being in conflict is the book she wrote, Silly Chicken. This article has not only enlightened me, but ensures that everyone can still learn. Khan’s anecdote at the end describes how her mind was opened a little wider. She was initially offended by the story, The Librarian of Basra, but a woman in Iraq helped change her mind. Instead of looking at the story of a librarian saving books compared to the lives around her that could not be saved, the Iraqi woman saw the story as about a woman who found that she could make a positive difference in a destructive world. Books are just books—not bulletproof vests or protection against bullying—but they can truly make all the difference. That Khan was relieved just to see a comic strip of a “normal” Muslim woman proves that literature of all sorts have worth.
The article can be found:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6367083.html?industryid=47087&q=Nadia%27s+Hands
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6367083.html?industryid=47087&q=Nadia%27s+Hands
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