Posted on 07/18/2010 6:46:22 AM PDT by Hawk720
No tests will be scheduled in the county's public schools on two Muslim holidays this year: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Local Muslim leaders have been requesting the change for two years, arguing that students who practice Islam and are granted excused absences on those days shouldn't have to miss exams.
School officials finally complied in the calendar for next year, acknowledging that it makes sense in light of the growing number of Muslim students.
"We don't collect information on religions, but we do know, obviously, that the Muslim religion is growing in the western part of the county," said Teresa Tudor, director of school and family partnerships for county schools. "You can see that when you go to the schools."
Other religions are also acknowledged in the school calendar, most notably through the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter, which annually are included in the winter and spring breaks. And about five years ago the schools began closing for two major Jewish holidays: Yom Kippur, the day of atonement, and Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year.
But no Muslim holidays have appeared on the school calendar - until now.
Eid al-Fitr (Sept. 10) is a celebration at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting, and Eid al-Adha (Nov. 17) is a day of sacrifice honoring the prophet Abraham, who was willing to sacrifice his son at God's request. On both, Muslims pray and give to charity.
No tests will be scheduled on either holiday in the schools this year, and no sports games will be scheduled on the previous evenings, since - like the Jewish holidays - both begin at sundown, Tudor said.
(Excerpt) Read more at hometownannapolis.com ...
Let’s see how long it takes for Christmas to be just another day like any other.
Wow!! how did that come about?
We must get those borders closed and a good immigration policy in place. It appears the Muslim countries are being favored over others. It wasn't long ago when each continent was given an allotment for immigration applications to be accepted. I guess that has fallen off the table
Our enemies are exploiting our freedoms to their benefit and our hurt.
Maryland “Al-Friq State” PING!
350,000???
The riots will be starting in the banlieus at any moment...
Oy vey!
“the growing number of Muslim students.”
AAAaaaaaaaa...in AA County?
That is the disturbing thing in this article.
“Other religions are also acknowledged in the school calendar, most notably through the Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter, which annually are included in the winter and spring breaks.”
Hello? They are not “included”, they are the REASON for “winter and spring break”.
“nd Spring Break is often no where near Easter.”
That HAS become true of COLLEGES, but not generally of “primary” schools.
Are they planning on celebrating 9/11?
Didn’t that fall off in the ‘60s (as usual, the source of all hell), thanks to Senator Splash and friends?
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