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Northeast Reporter – January 5, 2006
Muslim holidays remain a school district issue
By Marc Lightdale
As an important Muslim feast day approaches, people of the Islamic faith are renewing their plea for a place on the county's school holiday calendar.
Muhammad Jameel, a county resident who regularly attends school board meetings, says Muslim children feel left out because schools close for Christian and Jewish holidays, but not Muslim holidays.
"As a result of not having holidays recognized, the students feel alienated," Jameel said.
On Tuesday, Jan. 10, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha, an important feast day associated with pilgrimages to Mecca. Another important date is Eid Al-Fitre, which signifies the end of Ramadan and occurs this year on Oct. 24.
Jameel has no children in the school system, but said he has young grandchildren who will enroll in county schools shortly. He hopes they will abide by Muslim holidays and stay at home when they become students.
He said Muslim students end up being punished because they are marked as absent if they stay home.
But school system spokeswoman Kara Calder said religious absences are considered "excused" absences in which students are permitted to make up the work.
However, excused absences do count against a student's perfect attendance rate, which is sometimes important to qualify for certain scholarships.
Calder said the school system tries to ensure that tests are not given on any religious holidays.
Meanwhile, the school board is studying the issue. A four- member committee has been set up to evaluate the calendar policy and make sure it complies with state law. The committee may issue a report later this month.
Bash Pharoan, who also attends board meetings to lobby for school adjournment on Islamic holidays, said he was encouraged that the board showed "appreciation and understanding" of the Muslim community's concerns at a Dec. 20 meeting.
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