Author(s): Wahab Algarmi

Children & Young Adult

Navigating a month of school, an upcoming soccer championship while fasting for Ramadan, can be tough. Luckily, Hassan has a winning combo of family, friends and faith - and his goals in sight! It’s almost sunset, and Hassan has been dreaming about eating since the sun rose this morning. He’s facing a hectic month of homework, gaming and soccer, all while fasting every day for the holy month of Ramadan. Not eating until sundown intensifies Hassan’s already stretched days – his teachers and friends barely understand Ramadan and its traditions, and it’s especially tough keeping up with soccer practice, as the team’s first game looms in a few weeks. At the same time, Ramadan brings Hassan’s family and community closer together, from waking up at 4am every morning to feasting and attending mosque in the evenings. Throughout this epic month, while the secular world flows on a different path, Ramadan becomes a steadying force in Hassan’s life while illuminating surprises about his family, his faith – soccer too! – and most importantly, Hassan’s own path ahead.