Ramadan 2013 Reading Challenge
Latest news in town, North Africa is part of Africa!
Sometimes, I forget and need to be reminded. That’s why I have decided to read exclusively Arab authors this Ramadan. I have only heard one name and it was Yasmina Khaddra. The sad truth, I have never read an arab author. *Grasp*
So, I did some research on my favorite blogs and voila I came up with a list of authors and books. Thanks to 3 wonderful websites, I was able to come up with a list much more quickly — Me, you and Books , africabookclub, Arab Literature.
Now, I will be very optimistic and challenge myself to read 7 books for the whole month. Considering the fact that I will be starving, out of choice of course, It is a very ambitious target. But as an Ashanti proverb said:
When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him
You can expect my reading report on the last day of the month. Ramadan is scheduled to start on July 9th 2013.
I realized some of the readers might not be familiar with the concept of Ramadan. So here is a little overview:
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar;Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam.The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness.Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.
Sources: Wikipedia
Very Interesting Facts about Islam in Africa:
- They are 421,938,820 Millions muslims in Africa as of 2013 ( 1,6 Billions muslins worldwide)
- The presence of Islam in Africa can be traced back to the seventh century (7th Century)
- Somali or Ethiopia became the first safe haven for Muslims and the first place Islam would be practiced outside of the Arabian Peninsula
- Nigeria is number 6 out of the top ten countries with the largest muslim population worldwide
Disclaimer: These facts were found around the web, I can’t guarantee their veracity at 100%. As you are well aware, a lot of facts related to Islam in Africa are contested. Also, some people have a tendency to exaggerate numbers and facts.
RAMADAN READING CHALLENGE LIST
Rules
1 author per country
Genre allowed : fiction only (It’s Ramadan guys, not the best time of the year to think)
Francophone & Anglophone authors/books will be mixed. No Arabic, unfortunately my arabic is not that strong!
Technically, Sudan is not part of North Africa but I will included it in my universe of authors from Northern Africa. Because of the cultural ties ( I am obviously referring to the northern part of Sudan) and the languages they share with the North.
The same reasoning applied to Mauritania. This country is rarely included in North Africa. But hey, this my blog, right?
About Morocco, I have decided not to separate Western Sahara. I support the struggle but I have to think of myself first. So Morocco and Western Sahara will count as one country ( I apologize if I hurt the sensibility of some persons, it is not my intention)
To put things in context, here is a map of Northern Africa
Ok so here is my list!
- Algeria (In my Library)
- Sudan (Not yet in my Library)
- Lybia (Not yet in my Library)
- Mauritania (Not yet in my Library) — French
- Tunisia (Not yet in my Library)
- Morocco (Not yet in my Library)- French
- Egypt ( In my library)
You want to participate or read along ,please do so! I know my list is ridiculously ambitious but what can I say, I love challenges.
I am starting with Algeria this week on the first day of Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak!
