Hana's Hajj

Perfectly pitched from a child’s-eye view, this beautifully illustrated father-daughter story doubles as a simple and moving introduction to Muslim traditions.

When the first ray of daylight dances across Mina, the city of tents in the brown desert, Hana bounces out of her cot. Papa will take her on her very first Hajj pilgrimage today, one of the five pillars of Islam. They’ll even camp together, and Hana can’t wait to roast marshmallows and show her father all she’s learned in scouting. The train speeds them to plains stretching in all directions, where millions of people already dot the rocky sides of Mount Arafat and stand in its plains. She and Papa choose to pray on the mount. They trek to a spot and pray and make their duas, share lunch, and ride the crowded train again. At long last, it’s time to make camp—but without a tent, a campfire, or marshmallows! “During Hajj,” her father explains, “the sky is our tent.” Having Papa by her side on a pilgrimage to show their love for God turns out to be the best camping trip ever. Evocative illustrations, a glossary, and key concepts gently woven through a kid-friendly narrative make this picture book a warm and accessible way to experience Muslim traditions, like Hana does, for the very first time.