The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed a decision by the city council of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to add two Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, to the city calendar.
[NOTE: Eid ul-Fitr (EED-al-FITTER), or “feast of fast-breaking,” is the first of the two major Muslim holidays after the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. During this holiday, Muslims greet each other by saying “Eid Mubarak” (EED-moo-BAR-ak), meaning “blessed Eid,” and “taqabbalallah ta’atakum,” or “may God accept your deeds.” Many communities also hold multicultural bazaars and other family activities following the prayers. The second holiday, Eid ul-Adha (EED-al-ODD-ha), comes near the end of the Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca.]
In addition to voting to recognize the two Eid holidays, the Portsmouth City Council resolved not to schedule meetings the night before Eid al-Fitr during the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
SEE: Portsmouth City Council adds 2 Muslim holy days to city calendar
“We welcome this vote by the Portsmouth City Council and encourage other cities in New Hampshire and nationwide to ensure that people of all faiths have their holidays recognized and respected,” said CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison.
He noted that CAIR previously welcomed other cities recognizing the Eid holidays.
SEE: CAIR-CT Welcomes Waterbury and Norwalk Board of Educations’ Recognition of Eid Holiday
CAIR-Houston Welcomes School District’s First-Ever Recognition of Eid Holiday
CAIR-Pittsburgh Welcomes Recognition of Eid al-Fitr as School Vacation Day
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com