Thousands of Muslim students in New Broward, South Florida will be able to celebrate Muslim holidays for the first time after being officially recognized by the county.

“Our Muslim community continues to grow, and it’s important that Muslim children feel included and have a sense of belonging,” Naima Khan-Ghany, a high school math teacher, said at a recent School Board meeting, South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported.

“We hope you will embrace our diverse cultures and promote equity for all students.”

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Starting from the next school year, `Eid Al-Fitr will be a day off for all students and staff in the county.

Following efforts by members of the Muslim community for nearly a decade, the new calendar recently approved by the school board set April 21, 2023 as a day off.

Choosing Faith or Education

For Muslim Families: Happy Holidays!

The Muslim Federation of South Florida estimates there are 76,800 Muslims and 26,500 Muslim students in Broward.

Thanks to the new decision, Muslim students wouldn’t have to choose between celebrating the holiday and going to school.

“I will tell you when my high schooler had to make a choice between joining the rest of the family to celebrate the holidays or going to school, we picked school, because we think it’s important to not lose any education time,” Coral Springs parent Sheryar Wahid said at a recent meeting.

“I’d like to not have to make that choice.”

The Islamic Hijri Calendar is a lunar one, thus the observance of `Eid Al-Fitr revolves throughout the seasons.

A growing number of American school districts have begun to recognize the Muslim holidays.

Earlier this year, Lewiston Maine added the Islamic holidays to the public schools calendar, allowing Muslim students to celebrate their holiday normally.  

The Baltimore County Board of Education approved unanimously in November, 2019, to close public schools for students on `Eid holidays when they land on a school day.