Salat in Secret by Thompkins-Jamilah Bigelow (review)

Muhammad is thrilled to get his own salat rug on his seventh birthday, proud to be considered old enough by his father to pray five times a day. He can do his morning and nightly prayers at home, but he wonders if he will find a place at school to do dhuhr (midday). He’s too scared to ask his teacher, afraid his classmates won’t understand, so he uses the coat closet, but he’s unfortunately interrupted. He wishes he could be like his dad, who does salat wherever he is, even when passing people laugh at him or, worse, look at him with suspicion. Readers familiar with finding pride in their religious customs even as they are ostracized will both relate to Muhammad’s troubles and cheer for him when he musters the courage to ask for a place to pray at school, which his teacher happily provides. The digital art’s composition is particularly deft at placing Muhammad’s worry in the larger context of his religion; smaller vignettes against white background focus just on Muhammad while larger spreads include his family or feature his father praying. An informative author’s note explains the five prayers comprising salat and provides a small glossary.