(WASHINGTON, D.C., 12/14/2022) – The Minnesota and Connecticut chapters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN and CAIR-CT) today welcomed the addition of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday to the calendars of the St. Paul Public Schools and Fairfield Public Schools.
[NOTE: During Eid al-Fitr (EED-AL-FITTER) or “feast of fast breaking” holiday at the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan, Muslims offer public prayers, exchange social visits and seek to strengthen family and community bonds.]
Last night, the St. Paul school board voted to add Eid al-Fitr and the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah to the district’s academic calendar. Students will not have class on any of the dates. The changes will go into effect in the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years.
SEE: St. Paul Public Schools add Eid al-Fitr, Jewish high holy days to school calendars
Also last night, the Board of Education of Fairfield, Conn., decided to add Eid al-Fitr to the school district’s calendar. Fairfield Public Schools will begin observing the holiday in 2024.
SEE: Fairfield Public Schools Adds Eid al-Fitr As A School Holiday
https://patch.com/connecticut/fairfield/fairfield-public-schools-adds-eid-al-fitr-school-holiday
“All students deserve to have their religious beliefs and holidays respected by educators,” said CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein. “We thank the St. Paul school district for recognizing the religious holidays of their students.”
“Because of the Fairfield Board of Education’s decision, Muslim students can celebrate their holiday with family without having to miss instruction,” said CAIR-CT Operations Director Hassan Awad. “We are pleased to see Fairfield Public Schools supporting their Muslim students by recognizing the Eid al-Fitr holiday.”
Awad noted that CAIR-CT previously expressed support for recognizing Eid al-Fitr in Fairfield.
SEE: CAIR-CT Supports Call for Inclusion of Islamic Holiday in School Calendar
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CONTACT: CAIR-MN Executive Director Jaylani Hussein,612-406-0070, jhussein@cair.com; CAIR-MN Greater MN Outreach Coordinator Majid Igale, 320-237-3406, mgale@cair.com; CAIR-MN Deputy Director Mohamed Ibrahim, 507-990-3473 Mibrahim@cair.com; CAIR-Connecticut Chair Farhan Memon, 203-517-6526 or fmemon@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com