MSI Press Blog

  Why People Say “Kul ʿĀm wa‑inta Bikhair” During Ramadan If you spend any time around Arabic‑speaking communities during Ramadan, you’ll hear a warm, melodic phrase exchanged again and again: “kul ʿām wa‑inta bikhair.” It’s one of those expressions that carries more than its literal meaning. It’s a blessing, a wish, and a gesture of affection all at once. What the Phrase Literally Means In Arabic, the words break down simply: kul ʿām — “every year” wa‑inta — “and you” (or “wa‑inti” when speaking to a woman) bikhair — “in goodness,” “in well‑being,” “in a good state” Put together, it means something like: “May you be well every year.” Or, more expansively: “May each year find you in goodness, health, and peace.” It’s not tied only to Ramadan—you’ll hear it at Eid, New Year’s, and other milestones—but Ramadan gives it a special resonance. Why It Matters During Ramadan Ramadan is a month built around intention: caring for others, softening the heart, and practicing ...

  Ask almost any child who has grown up in a Muslim household, and you’ll hear the same thing: Ramadan is special. Not just because of the food, or the late nights, or the excitement of staying up past bedtime—though those certainly help. Children love Ramadan because it transforms the rhythm of family life. It turns ordinary evenings into gatherings, ordinary meals into celebrations, and ordinary routines into rituals. 1. The House Feels Different Children are exquisitely attuned to atmosphere, and Ramadan changes the emotional weather of a home. Lights are softer. Voices are gentler. People move with more intention. Even the kitchen feels different—full of the sounds and smells of iftar preparations, the clatter of dishes, the sizzle of something frying, the quiet hum of anticipation as sunset approaches. For a child, this shift is magical. It signals that something important is happening, something shared. 2. Everyone Is Together In many families, Ramadan is the one time of ...

  Ramadan Kareem to all who are beginning this sacred month. Ramadan is, at its heart, a time of caring for others—a month when mercy is practiced quietly, without arrogance, and compassion becomes a daily discipline. Fasting from dawn to sunset is not only an act of worship; it is a way of sharing, in a small and embodied way, the experiences of those who live with hunger every day. It is a reminder that empathy is not abstract. It is felt in the body. Daily life shifts during Ramadan. Mornings begin before sunrise with suhoor, the pre‑dawn meal taken in the stillness of a world not yet awake. Work continues, school continues, life continues—but with a softened pace, a gentler awareness of one’s own limits, and a heightened attentiveness to the needs of others. As sunset approaches, kitchens fill with the familiar sounds of preparation, and families gather—sometimes in small circles, sometimes in large, joyful crowds—to break the fast together. In many places, generosity becom...

  To honor the rare astronomical and spiritual alignment of Purim, Ramadan, and Lent coinciding today, we present our authors who have written books in each of these spiritual traditions. This remarkable convergence of sacred calendars happens only a few times per century, as each tradition follows different systems—the Jewish lunar calendar for Purim, the Islamic lunar calendar for Ramadan, and the Christian calendar (tied to the spring equinox) for Lent. When these observances overlap, they create a unique opportunity for interfaith dialogue and deeper understanding of how different faiths mark periods of reflection, sacrifice, and celebration. And then yesterday (the start of Puri) is also National Thai Elephant Day, a cultural holiday where Buddhist ceremonies are held to bless elephants and their owners. Our publishing house is proud to showcase writers who illuminate these rich traditions through their work. Steven Greenebaum writes about interfaith. Arthur Yavelberg and Am...