Video review: "Adam's World 9: Ramadan Mubarak"

Video review: "Adam's World 9: Ramadan Mubarak"

"Banana split with peanuts, hot fudge the way I like it," says Adam wistfully. Even half of the apple his sister Aneesah is holding looks good (although Adam admits he doesn't even like apples).

It's the last day of Ramadan Mubarak, and Adam has decided to fast secretly, telling no one except his friend Asad. But fasting is not as easy as it seems.

Apart from the persistent thoughts of food, Adam finds it hard to make the time pass until Iftar. In between though, Ramadan Mubarak, (number nine in the Adam's World video series), presents some of the lessons all Muslims should take from Ramadan.

Whether it's showing the contrasting behavior of the Halal meat butcher, who in one scenario exhibits un-Ramadan like behavior towards a customer, while treating her like gold in another; or recounting the story of Ambreen, who visits her aunt and uncle in India during Ramadan Mubarak and learns a lesson in generosity to the poor, Ramadan Mubarak teaches kids that fasting is about more than hunger.

It's about generosity, kindness and compassion, especially to the poor.

The Ramadan theme is maintained when Asad and Adam, with the help of the transvisualizer, visit Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world. Apart from highlighting some of the country's architecture and geography, Indonesian Muslims are seen praying, working and participating in Salatul Eid.

Ramadan is also on Adam's mind when, as the wonder journalist, he decides to interview grownups with growling stomachs. He especially seeks an interview with a star Muslim baseball player. However, Adam becomes upset when he discovers this "star" player doesn't fast in Ramadan since it affects his athletic performance. A humorous interview with the player's agent follows.

The video also features three-dimensional images of the letter Kha, as well as one song about fasting and another about Eid at the end.

Overall, the video does a good job of explaining the spirit behind fasting through the use of images, skits, and explanation. But it would be more useful for kids ages four and up, who can fully comprehend the dialogues between, for example, Adam and the non-fasting baseball player. Ramadan Mubarak is a great tool for introducing and explaining this blessed month, as well as encouraging kids (and adults) to be more generous and compassionate to the poor while fasting.

 

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