CAIR-NY, Muslim Advocates Call on Hewlett-Woodmere School District to Add Eid Holidays to School Calendar
(NEW YORK, NY, 1/11/2023) — The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) and Muslim Advocates today joined parents of the Hewlett-Woodmere School District in calling on the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education to add Eid holidays to the school Calendar.
For years, Muslim families and community supporters have advocated for the Hewlett-Woodmere School District to add two Eid Holidays to the school calendar so that Muslim students do not have to choose between attending school or celebrating their religious holidays with family and friends.
[NOTE: There are two major “Eid” holidays for Muslims. Eid al-Adha (EED-AL-ODDHA), commonly referred to as just “Eid,” is associated with the pilgrimage to Mecca, or Hajj, and commemorates the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael at God's command. The holiday is celebrated with prayers, small gifts for children, distribution of meat to the needy, and social gatherings. 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.]
In January 2023, the Board of Education will once again be considering the request and formally adopting a calendar for the 2023-2024 school year. The board meeting will take place at Woodmere Education Center, Auditorium – 1 Johnson Place, Woodmere, NY 11598 starting at 7:30 PM.
CAIR-NY will attend tonight’s board meeting to ask for the addition of the Eid Holidays. Supporters are being asked to attend and provide testimony.
SEE: No Eid holidays on Hewlett-Woodmere school calendar
Hewlett-Woodmere SD holds meeting to discuss adding 2 Muslim holidays to school calendar
In 2018, there was alleged harassment of Muslim community members and students attending Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education meetings on January 10 and 17. Following an almost four-hour discussion, the Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education decided to remove the proposed addition of Eid holidays from the district’s calendar.
Individuals can demand the school district add the Eid Holidays to the school calendar by sending an e-mail letter to the administration: Demand Eid Holidays for Students at Hewlett-Woodmere School District
Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, said in a statement:
“Our school calendars should celebrate the diverse and inclusive spirit of our state. Instead, Muslim students at Hewlett-Woodmere School District have been forced to choose between their education and the celebration of their sacred religious holidays. The Hewlett-Woodmere Board of Education has an opportunity to respect Muslim families and their religious practices by adopting an inclusive calendar that recognizes Eid holidays.”
Reem Subei, Muslim Advocates Senior Attorney, said in a statement
“Muslim students and parents have time and again asked the Hewlett-Woodmere Board to include and respect their religious practices by recognizing the two Islamic religious holidays. Today, they renew this ask in hopes that the Board takes a step toward equity and away from exclusion.”
CAIR-NY noted that in December of last year, CAIR’s Connecticut chapter welcomed the addition of the Islamic Eid al-Fitr holiday to the calendars of the St. Paul Public Schools and Fairfield Public Schools.
Many other school districts nationwide are also adding Eid holidays to their calendars.
CAIR-NY offers a booklet, called “An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
CAIR-NY's mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR-NY 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: Afaf Nasher, Esq., CAIR-NY Executive Director, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com; Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Legal Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com