Some Philadelphia Charter Schools To Begin Observing Muslim Holidays
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One of the area's largest charter school operators is adding two Muslim holidays to its school calendar next year.
The board of Mastery Charter Schools has voted to recognize the two holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha next school year, after requests from Muslim students, staff, and community members.
Similar moves have been made in other school districts including New York City.
Mastery operates 21 schools in Philadelphia and Camden.
"Recognizing that faith, I think is important. And second, we're preparing our older students to be successful in the world. And they're going to interact with folks of all different faiths and all different backgrounds," says Mastery CEO Scott Gordon, who adds that it's an effort to include the 5-to-20% Muslim population in those schools.
There are no proposals before the School Reform Commission to add Muslim holidays to the Philadelphia public school calendar, but city council is urging the panel to take up the matter.