Cambridge schools to observe Muslim holidays
Cambridge will close its schools for one Muslim holiday each year beginning next year.
The school will close for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. Which day schools are closed will depend on the holiday that falls in the school year.
If both days fall within the school calendar, the district will close for one of the days.
Cambridge School Committee member Marc McGovern, who pushed for the policy, says people should avoid what he calls hysteria and the stereotype of Muslims as terrorists.He says Cambridge schools close for some Christian and Jewish holidays and Muslims should be treated the same.
Cambridge School Superintendent Jeffrey Young says the city's Muslim population appears to be growing.
