March 20, 2025
The month of Ramadan, with its deep spirituality, represents a significant season in the lives of Muslims worldwide. It strengthens the objective of attaining piety and enhances family and social bonds. However, for Muslims in diaspora communities, it holds a unique significance as an opportunity to preserve the identity of their children, particularly those of the second and third generations. This identity faces compounded challenges in environments that do not generally reflect Islamic values, let alone the distinctive atmosphere of the blessed month.
Life in diaspora countries presents Muslim families with social obstacles during Ramadan. The cultural differences mean that the month passes without public celebrations, such as the call to prayer (Adhan) being heard openly or restaurants closing during the day. This often leaves Muslim children feeling isolated, as they must sit in school or university cafeterias while their peers eat. Moreover, explaining the concept of fasting in a society where it is not practiced requires additional effort, especially in countries like those in Northern Europe, where fasting hours can extend up to 18 hours in the summer.
In my view, this challenge demands extra effort from parents in diaspora communities to create a Ramadan-like atmosphere at home. This can be done through preparing iftar meals that reflect traditional customs, reciting the Quran with their children, and leveraging the role of Islamic centers to compensate for the missing cultural and religious aspects of the month.
Such initiatives are essential because they transform the individual experience into a communal one, embodying the noble teaching of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person's), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” (Narrated by At-Tirmidhi) These efforts also strengthen the sense of belonging among Muslim children and teach them the value of solidarity.
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Psychological Challenges
From a social perspective, the challenges faced by Muslim children in diaspora communities also include psychological difficulties. Many children feel a profound sense of isolation, especially if they are the only ones among their peers who fast. A 2018 report by Deutsche Welle highlighted that many Muslim children in diaspora communities struggle to explain their fasting to their non-Muslim classmates.
However, despite these difficulties, this experience can serve as an opportunity to cultivate a strong personality capable of confidently expressing its identity. This, however, requires psychological support from parents to prevent feelings of alienation, in line with the constant awareness of responsibility emphasized by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari)
Another aspect worth considering, in my opinion, is the impact of technology on children’s experience of Ramadan. In today’s world, families in diaspora communities can connect with relatives in their home countries via video calls and attend religious lessons online. This means that modern technology can serve as a tool for preserving Muslim children's identity and Islamic values, if properly utilized by parents and Islamic institutions.
For instance, hearing the Adhan from their home country via a screen can reinforce children’s sense of belonging. However, caution is necessary, as excessive reliance on technology could reduce the spiritual experience of Ramadan to a mere virtual event, stripping it of its depth.
A balanced use of technology—such as innovative applications like Ramadan Legacy that offer educational content about Ramadan for children and video calls with grandparents to maintain family bonds—can play a crucial role in countering feelings of isolation and alienation among diaspora children.
Tradition and Modernity
The Ramadan experience for diaspora children is not just about telling stories about fasting and iftar; rather, it is a journey where identity, spirituality, and daily challenges intertwine. The holy month presents a golden opportunity to nurture a generation that harmonizes tradition and modernity, capable of carrying Islamic values with awareness and confidence—provided they respond to environmental challenges and influence their surroundings rather than being influenced by them.
In this regard, I recommend that families collaborate to prepare their homes with Ramadan decorations, such as lanterns and banners, to create a festive atmosphere that attracts children and compensates for the lack of Ramadan spirit outside their homes. Organizing communal iftars with other Muslim families can further strengthen their social belonging.
Participation in mosque activities, such as Quran study circles, plays a vital role in connecting diaspora children with their religious community. Additionally, engaging in positive social habits—such as preparing traditional dishes for iftar and sharing them with other Muslim families—helps strengthen children’s ties to their roots, achieving a balance between identity and openness.
Preserving one's identity and Islamic values does not mean isolation. Teaching children to explain fasting to their friends in a friendly way—such as saying, ‘I fast to get closer to Allah”—boosts their confidence. Encouraging them to share Eid sweets or give a presentation about Ramadan at school fosters a unique cultural dialogue and provides an invaluable opportunity for spreading the message of Islam.
This approach can compensate for the lack of an Islamic atmosphere in their surroundings, a concern highlighted by a 2022 study by Dr. Khaled Hanafy, Dean of the European College of Humanities and Chairman of the Fatwa Committee in Germany. The study found a significant decline in religiosity of Muslim families among the second and third generations compared to their first-generation immigrant parents, primarily due to the challenges of integrating into Western societies and exposure to cultures and ideologies that conflict with Islamic values.
In light of this, Ramadan serves as a divine opportunity to strengthen the Islamic identity of Muslim children in diaspora communities. If Muslim families invest in it wisely, making it an enjoyable and interactive experience, they can ensure that the holy month remains associated with a positive spiritual and social atmosphere.
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