U.S. school board votes again to exclude Islamic holidays

[sonz]

For the third year in a row, the Baltimore County Board of Education voted against including Islamic holidays in the 2007-2008 school calendar, despite years of lobbying by the county’s Muslim leaders, the Baltimore Sun reported.

Muslims attending the June 13 school board meeting expressed disappointment after the unanimous vote.

The school calendar approved by the board includes a day off for one Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashana, but not Yom Kippur, which falls on a weekend this year.

Members of the Baltimore County Muslim Council say that it is unfair that the school calendar includes Jewish holidays but excludes two Islamic holidays; Eid al- Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

School board member John Hayden tried to defend the broad’s vote, claiming that economic factors justify allowing holidays during Jewish feasts because there is a large number of Jewish teachers in the country and therefore the school system cannot afford to hire substitute teachers.

However, Hayden said that the school system will monitor attendance on the two Muslim holidays in the coming years to determine if there is a spike in student or teacher absences.

Dr. Bash Pharoan, president of the Baltimore County Muslim Council, and several Muslims attending the board meeting vowed to continue the fight to put the Muslim holidays on the school calendar.

"I will see you here next year," said one Muslim girl, a seventh-grader at Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.

The 2006-07 school year starts on August 27 and runs through June 13.

[north_malaysian]

and Muslim countries recognized Christian festivals as public holidays.

[Sis786]

That soo bad i know my nephews living in NY had exmas on the day of eid so they couldnt even pull a sickie..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I FEEL LIKE WHACKING BUSHS HEAD AGAINST A WALL[MAD]aaaaaaaaaaa[/MAD]

[wilberhum]

and Muslim countries recognized Christian festivals as public holidays.

What Muslim countries recognize what Christian festivals as public holidays?

[lavikor201]

What Muslim countries recognize what Christian festivals as public holidays?

I was just about to say that.

[wilberhum]

Well let me add

What Muslim countries recognize what Jewish festivals as public holidays?

I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for an answer.

[afriend]

But isn't it unfair, that Jewish festivals go ahead...but not Islamic one's?

[lavikor201]

First of all realize this is in Baltimore... not the whole USA.

There is a huge Jewish community in Balitimore, which outnumbers the Muslim community probably. It might have everything thing to do with the amount of Jewish teachers and not enough substitutes.

If enough people missed school for these holidays than they would probably just give the day off. It is all buissness my friend. Most likley, they cannot afford to replace all the Jewish teachers with subs.

Plus.... contrary to what someone posted before. No Muslim countries make Jewish or Christian Holidays public ones or do anything for them to the best of my knowledge.

[wilberhum]

But isn't it unfair, that Jewish festivals go ahead...but not Islamic one's?

In a word Yes.

[lavikor201]

I think that all days of worship should get the days off, but if a Muslim kid went to pray instead of school for a big holiday, then he would most likley be excused. They said they will see how many teachers and students are absent those days.

In heavily Musmlim communities in America I know for a fact that Muslim holidays get the day off, and Jewish are not, because there are simply not that many Jews there.

[ManchesterFolk]

I think that all days of worship should get the days off, but if a Muslim kid went to pray instead of school for a big holiday, then he would most likley be excused. They said they will see how many teachers and students are absent those days.

In heavily Musmlim communities in America I know for a fact that Muslim holidays get the day off, and Jewish are not, because there are simply not that many Jews there.

That makes sense. It seems to be all about the amount of teachers that observe the holiday. If Baltimore has a lot of teachers that are Jewish and observe the holiday than they should make the day off.

If there is a city that has many Muslim teachers and few Jewish ones, the Muslim ones will get the day off. It is all about buisness and about if they can replace the teachers with substitutes.

[catmando]

There should not be ANY religious holidays in public schools. PERIOD.

[khushnood]

There should not be ANY religious holidays in public schools. PERIOD.

I dont think there's anything wrong in having religious holidays in public schools.what made u think ab ut that?

[SirZubair]

Such is life.

Step 1 ) Buy a truckload of bricks,build a bridge..

Step 2 ) Get over it.

[Muezzin]

Such is life.

Step 1 ) Buy a truckload of bricks,build a bridge..

Step 2 ) Get over it.

Step 3) Just take a day or two off for Eid. Simple.

That soo bad i know my nephews living in NY had exmas on the day of eid so they couldnt even pull a sickie..aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa I FEEL LIKE WHACKING BUSHS HEAD AGAINST A WALL

This however, is a good point. It's happened to relatives of mine. They just pray/celebrate the day after.

[SirZubair]

Step 3) Just take a day or two off for Eid. Simple.

Exactly

Brothers and sisters,it is called Sacrifice.

Dont expect everything to be handed to us on a golden platter,make sacrifices,give up some of your 'holiday period',take some days off work for Eid.

Last year,i took days off during ramadan but forgot to book a day off for eid.

Insha'allah this year i will work through-out ramadan,but will take 2-3 days off around Eid.

wa'salaam.

[Ann]

I live in the US and let me tell you I was disgusted last year at how our city handled the request for Islamic holidays to be added to the school calendar. The request was submitted and promptly denied to which the muslim community responded politely by saying we were saddened by the decision and that we thought it quite unfair that christians and jewish had there holidays recognized while ours was ignored. In resonse to this the school board decided in a most antagonistic move to take away ALL religious holidays.

Now come on...you know these ppl knew full well any backlash of such an action would be against muslims and let me tell you it worked! There was huge uproar by the christian and jewish community, to which the school board collectively did thier best to look sheepishly innocent while constantly laying the blame for the holiday ban at the feet of the muslims. This of course only incited further misunderstanding and anger toward us. Meanwhile the media continually allowed chrisitan and jewish fewers to give their comments on tv and of course never bothered to edit out any of the name calling. Needless to say no muslims were given equal air time. And in the end...the ban was lifted...all christian and jewish holidays were reinstated and the islamic hoidays once again ignored.
I swear sometimes I hate this country!

[aamirsaab]

There should not be ANY religious holidays in public schools. PERIOD.

Even christmas?!

[x Maz x]

Yeesh just bunk that day , take a leaf outta ma book muhahahaha, People just make their lives soo soo hard for themselves, InshAllah just take a coupla days of, do your thang and Voila no complaints...I hope, as SirZubair quite rightly said "Such is life"...Deal wi it or kill yourself Peace x

[SirZubair]

..I hope, as SirZubair quite rightly said "Such is life"...Deal wi it or kill yourself Peace x

Yikes ! Sis ! watch it ! don't encourage them ! There are enough nut-case muslims out there,we dont want more do we?