Philadelphia Schools Add Two Muslim Holidays

Philadelphia school district officials announced Tuesday that they will be adding two Muslim holidays to their calendar.

The two holidays to be added, which won’t take effect until 2017-2018 school year, are Eid al-Fitr, celebrated at the conclusion of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which concludes the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Similar to Easter, both holidays fall on different days every year and will be adjusted accordingly each calendar cycle. 

Differing Muslim sects also celebrate the holiday on different days, so Islamic leaders throughout the city will have to provide specific dates for the calendar over the next five years.  

During a news conference in Philadelphia’s City Hall, Mayor Kenney stated the decision stemmed from the city’s desire for inclusiveness and religious freedom.

“Philadelphia’s history is based on being a place where religious freedom is part of its founding ethos,” Mayor Kenney said. “Our city was built on the idea that while we may be different in nationality and ethnicity, the city welcomes all to worship and practice the faiths of our culture or our choosing.”

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