The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NJ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today urged the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education to reinstate Eid al-Fitr as a day off from school by exploring more equitable alternatives and called on the rest of the New Jersey school districts that recognized Eid to not follow SPF’s example.
On March 3, 2026, SPF Schools Superintendent Joan Mast notified the community that the district moved to designate Eid al-Fitr as a school make-up day rather than a day off from school, due to exceeding the allotted amount of emergency closing days. However, all other religious groups’ holidays remain intact in the school district calendar.
CAIR-NJ wrote a letter to the Scotch Plains-Fanwood Board of Education and Superintendent expressing serious concern over the designation of Eid as a school make-up day. SPF Schools did not respond.
SEE: Scotch Plains-Fanwood Make-Up Day Letter
Edison Public Schools recently considered removing Eid as a day off from school but the township ultimately decided to not repurpose Eid al-Fitr as a makeup day.
In a statement, CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra said:
“Scotch Plains–Fanwood’s removal of Eid al-Fitr as a school holiday undermines progress toward equality in New Jersey’s public schools. Edison’s attempt to follow suit shows how one district’s decision can trigger a ripple effect. By meeting with Muslim families and local stakeholders like Muslims of Edison Civic Alliance, Edison Public Schools made the right choice by keeping Eid al-Fitr off the table when addressing the school-day total requirement. Edison has a huge Muslim population and Muslims in these school districts are not to be casually sidelined.”
“We understand the difficulty posed by the colder winter necessitating more snow days, but this is a matter of equity. In districts with significant Muslim populations like SPF and Edison, a simple excused absence is insufficient and disrupts many families’ ability to fully worship and celebrate together. Students and families should not be made to choose between their faith and education. In the cases of districts that already added Eid to their calendar, this is not just a few students who would need to catch up either.”
Background:
Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, and spiritual reflection observed by all of Islam’s nearly two billion Muslims worldwide. Edison and Middlesex County have among the largest Muslim populations in the state.
CAIR-NJ calls on all 70+ school districts who previously committed to recognizing Eid al-Fitr this school year to honor their commitment by maintaining Eid al-Fitr as a day off from school.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-NJ Operations Director Dyaa Terpstra, dterpstra@cair.com