The Masjid Kamal Loves

Starred review from May 1, 2023
A young Muslim boy has fun attending prayer services each Friday. Kamal, a boy with dark brown skin and curly hair, is all smiles as he approaches the masjid: "His smile is so wide, it hides his eyes, / A bubble-up joy causing wiggles and giggles, / A percolating pride from sole to soul." A diverse group of friends greets Kamal from the step--one wears jeans, another sports a kurta, and another wears khakis. Together, they perform common masjid activities: removing their shoes before entering the prayer area, washing their feet as part of ritual ablution, rolling out rugs, listening to the imam, and making Jumu'ah prayer, all while creating mischievous, contagious fun. Building on the text that came before, each page of this "The House That Jack Built"-style tale is a lyrical, rhythmic celebration of those "who come to the masjid Kamal loves," making it a stellar choice to read aloud. Bold illustrations demonstrate the ways that children participate in the community in the open spaces of the masjid. Except for one child, all community members depicted within the spaces Kamal occupies in the masjid present as male, which is typical of the single-gendered nature of Islamic congregational worship. Many congregants, including the imam, have dark brown skin, making this story a welcome and much-needed tale that highlights the true diversity of the Muslim community. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Friendship, community, worship, and fun--what a desirable combination! (Picture book. 5-8)

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