2018 Ramadan Crafts 30 Day Challenge {Resource}

May 15, 2018May 15, 2018 | acraftyarab

Tomorrow marks the start of our 8th annual 30 day Ramadan crafts challenge.

Ramadan is a holy month in the Islamic calendar when able Muslims around the world fast between sunrise to sunset. No food, no water, nothing can enter their body. In the most simplest of explanations for children to understand: it is to make them appreciate what they have and to donate to the less fortunate at the end of the month.

For our annual #CraftyRamadan challenge, we will once again be sharing 30 activities, tutorials and downloads that teach about Ramadan, Muslims, the Arab world, and the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region.

From the beginning, my 3 daughters and I have spent the holy month of Ramadan creating projects to talk about their connection to the 1.75 billion Muslims around the world. I wanted to show them they were part of a larger Ummah, a word meaning community in Arabic, أمة‎. Some posts may not teach anything but offer a fun toy or game to help children pass the time.

Our annual tradition started in 2011, and continued in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017.

As an teaching artist, I had the resources to teach them art in my studio, a subject they were heavily missing in their school system. As a Muslim, I wanted to make sure they were always reading and learning, as asked of us in the Quran, or holy book. As an Arab mother, I wanted to spend time with them individually talking about my childhood memories of spending Ramadan with family, growing up in Libya.

This year, I am adding a Plaid Online contest for a chance to win $50 worth of Mod Podge accessories, as part of my role as Plaid Ambassador. Please stop by A Crafty Arab on Facebook to enter to win:

–8 OZ. Mod Podge GLOSS
–8 OZ. Mod Podge Matte
–8 Oz. Dishwasher Safe Gloss
–Mod Podge Photo Transfer Medium 2 Oz. Carded
–Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat
–Mod Podge 7 Piece Tool Kit
–Mod Podge 4pc Sponcer Set
–Mod Podge 4pc Foam Brush Set

May the spirit of Ramadan brighten your world and show you the way to harmony, joy and peace, In’shallah (God willing in Arabic).

Stop by A Crafty Arab on Pinterst to see more of our fun crafts DIY tutorials.

Ramadan Lantern Countdown {Printable}

May 10, 2018May 10, 2018 | acraftyarab

Smaller children may need a little help understanding the concept of Ramadan since time is hard for them to visualize.

I created this Ramadan lantern 30 day printable as the perfect little countdown for toddlers and young children to help see the 30 days of fasting, which is required of able Muslims during the holy month. It is free as a download once you subscribe to the A Crafty Arab newsletter.

You can give them a pen to mark off each day or maybe let them cover a circle with a sticker. You can place it on your refrigerator to use with magnets or even lay it on a flat surface and glue cotton balls or pom poms.

You can also turn the countdown into a lesson plan by learning numbers each day, either in Arabic, English or your own language.

If you do print it out and use it, please tag #CraftyRamadan so I can re-post it. Be sure to check out A Crafty Arab on Pinterest to see more printables.

Best of A Crafty Arab 2017 {Resource}

December 28, 2017March 20, 2018 | acraftyarab

A Crafty Arab has had an active 2017, teaching children and adults about the Arab world.

In 2017, there were 99 Arab posts written (100 if you count this one) and of those, 67 were DIY craft tutorials, 7 were free printables and 7 were food related.

The rest of the list is made up of 10 posts the included educational resources and the number I’m most proud of: 8 posts that were related to Arab or Muslim children’s books, either as reviews or book lists.

Here are the top 5 posts, with the most amount of traffic. for 2017.

Not surprising, the top post (almost double in traffic compared to the next post) was tied to the United States election. Late last year, Americas elected a white supremacist sympathizer president and one of his despicable first acts was to ask for an immediate ban on all Muslims that enter America from seven countries. I decided to use this opportunity to educate about Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen by compiling them in one post.

The second highest post was also a compilation post full of Arab and/or Islamic activities, this time listing all 30 DIY projects created for each day of Ramadan. It’s excited to see that the 30 day Ramadan Crafts Challenge is now 7 years old and one of the most popular events on the blog. Ramadan activities included an advent calendar, rewards, games, artwork and giving. Check out all 30 Ramadan crafts, downloads and recipes on this post.

The third highest post was a book review and a STEM tutorial about building mosque domes. I was recently sent Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns by Hena Khan to review. As a co-Host of the Multicultural Children’s Book Day, I’m always looking for books to add to our diverse shelf. Be on the lookout in 2018 for another book plus tutorial because I was lucky enough to be sent more than one book. In the meantime, check out our Mosque Golden Domes post.

The fourth highest post was a free printable Eid banner. We love to make banners here on the blog because they are so easy, take very little time to create and instantly makes any room festive. Five years ago, I made an entire Eid party set and last year I asked my online community for color options (having already creating the banner in teal). Salmon was a hit with everyone and now that download is free Happy Eid Salmon printable.

Rounding off the list is a tutorial that teaches about the five pillars of Islam. To be honest, this was a surprise for me. As a paper artist, I do tend to make more paper art with my kids and was sure a paper tutorial would make the list. But instead craft sticks sneaked in as one of the top material of choose for my readers. This super easy and quick craft is a wonderful way to teach the 5 pillars without a lot of supplies or mess and can be found here.

Other highlights of the year include becoming a Plaid Ambassador and being asked to teach, for the sixth year in a row, at a women’s retreat. Holidays celebrated included Persian Nowruz and Arab American Heritage Month. I introduced my readers to Mariam al-Astrulabi, plus 99 Arab American Women who they should know (and most already did).

InshaAllah (An Arabic term used by both Christians and Muslims that means ‘God willing’), my daughters and I look forward to 2018 being another great year. We hope to bring you more educational posts that you can use with your children or students. As an teacher, nothing brings me greater joy then sharing my culture in a positive way. Shurkan (Arabic for thank you) for following along on the journey.

Please make sure you sign up for the A Crafty Arab newsletter to find out when future posts are out. Stop by my Arabic, Perisan and Urdu handmade store to purchase a unique, one of a kind card, or add a fun Arabic educational poster to any child’s life.

Stop by these other Muslimah Bloggers to see which posts made their top 5 list: