RAMADAN RAIN

A child makes a heartfelt prayer one Ramadan.

Walking with Momma from the bus stop to the mosque, Haneen complains, “I miss having a car. I’m getting all wet.” “Rain brings blessings,” responds Momma. “And duas, or prayers, said on a rainy day get answered.” Rich sensory language envelops readers as the two enter the mosque. The descriptions glow with detail, such as “shoes that look like sunny-day sky” and “a sea of colorful garments”—things Haneen yearns for but that the family can’t afford. As Haneen plays with the other children, Thompkins-Bigelow gently zeroes in on the quiet tension between abundance and scarcity that often exists in shared spaces. But as the night progresses, the warmth of community and the stillness of the communal night prayer grant Haneen space for reflection and the chance to dream and pray for what matters most. Betawi’s palette of calming blues matches the text’s meditative tone, while her compositions have an invitingly childlike charm. Momma and Haneen are brown-skinned; the varied skin tones and clothing of the characters reflect the beauty of the ummah, the global Muslim community. Arabic calligraphy with the names of God adorns the masjid’s walls, capturing the magnificence of Islamic worship spaces. Together, these details form a layered visual experience that mirrors the story’s emotional depth.

A contemplative tale of patience, gratitude, belonging, and the beauty of the rain.