Ramadan on the Shelves, Resistance Under Siege: A Conversation with My Child

How do I explain to my preschooler that while Ramadan has gone mainstream, our right to speak out remains under threat?

My sister’s Ramadan decorations

"Why doesn't anyone have Ramadan decorations up?" My four-year-old daughter's question stopped me in my tracks as we walked to school in the morning just days after the holy month of Ramadan —when billions of Muslims all over the world fast from sunrise to sunset—began. At home, purple and gold-themed crescent moons and stars adorned our walls and tabletops. Twinkling lights and lanterns were strung up across our living room window curtains. My younger sister came over to help my daughter hang up a festive "Happy Ramadan" sign over the weekend, our new…