Philly officially recognizes Islamic holidays

Philly officially recognizes Islamic holidays
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Two more official holidays have been added to the government and School District of Philadelphia’s calendar, starting Tuesday.

Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr.,and School District Superintendent Dr. William Hite announced the addition of two Islamic holidays, Eid al-Fitr, celebrated after the month-long observance of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, celebrated at the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage, to the official holiday calendars for the school district and the city.

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In January, City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution introduced by Jones – who is Muslim – calling for the city and the school district to recognize the Eid holidays.

In order to allow students and staff to celebrate the Eids during the 2016-2017 calendar year, district officials intend to inform students, parents and staff about the current excused-absences policy for those wishing to participate in the Eid celebrations.