(SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 9/21/2022) – The San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA) today expressed concern over a decision by the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) to overturn its vote on recognizing the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays and called for the district to recognize all major holidays observed by a significant number of students.
Last night, the SFUSD Board of Education voted 6-1 to rescind its recognition of the two Eid holidays following threats of litigation. The board initially voted last month to close schools on the two holidays. Shortly after the initial vote, the board received a letter from attorney Paul Scott, who argued the resolution was in violation of open meeting laws and the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution. SFUSD Superintendent Matt Wayne proposed the board develop criteria for adding holidays to the academic calendar.
SEE: Legal Threat Averted? SF Schools Pause Plans to Call Off Class for Muslim Holidays
In a letter sent to the board, CAIR-SFBA Civil Rights Attorney Jeffrey Wang said:
“The Board should build on the momentum from the passage of the resolution and explore adding district holidays for other minority communities in order to strengthen its message of inclusivity and demonstrate that students from all cultures and faiths are welcome and valued. To that end, CAIR-SFBA acknowledges that it is not enough to only recognize holidays for Muslims, and the Board must not stop there.”
In a statement, CAIR-SFBA Executive Director Zahra Billoo said:
“It is deeply disappointing to see the school district cave in to threats and undo this important resolution recognizing some of the most important and sacred days of the year for Muslim students. Now, Muslim students may be forced to choose between celebrating these holidays with family and loved ones and avoiding an academic penalty. We urge the school district to take action to ensure all students’ religious holidays are recognized.”
She noted that CAIR-SFBA welcomed SFUSD’s earlier recognition of the two Eid holidays.
SEE: CAIR-SFBA Welcomes San Francisco School Board’s Decision to Close Schools on Eid Holidays
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La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-SFBA Communications Coordinator Arooba Kazmi, 408.498.5690, a-kazmi@cair.com