CAIR-TX Calls on Round Rock School District to Maintain Planned April 21 Eid Holiday
(AUSTIN, TX, 03/21/2023) -- The Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-TX) today called on the Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD) to keep its plans to mark the Islamic holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, as a holiday on its academic calendar.
On Thursday, March 23rd, the RRISD Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet to consider making Apr. 21st an inclement weather make-up day. Muslim families whose children go to RRISD schools were excited to have Eid-ul-Fitr observed as a holiday for the first time at RRISD on April 21st. Last year, Muslims welcomed the adoption of the 2022/2023 academic calendar for acknowledging the cultural and religious holidays of its diverse communities, namely Diwali and Eid along with Good Friday.
“We were looking forward to having the day off to celebrate the entire Eid day with family and friends as is customary” said Sahar Ali, a parent of a 5th grader and a 2nd grader at Canyon Creek Elementary school in RRISD.
Jennifer Halla, another parent said, “I love the opportunity to teach my Christian children about other religions and make sure they understand and hold all religions sacred and putting these non-Christian holidays on the school calendar has helped to make this possible.”
“We call the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of RRISD to remove this ‘Apr 21st Inclement Weather Make-up Day’ action from the meeting agenda this Thursday March 23rd and increase minutes to the school days instead, as done before when parents protested against Good Friday cancellation,” said Shaimaa Zayan, the Community Relation Coordinator for CAIR-Austin/DFW chapter.
CAIR-TX Austin/DFW appreciates RRISD designating April 21st as a holiday to begin with and is anticipating a favorable response from the Board of Trustees and the Superintendent of RRISD to keep it a holiday.
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Austin Community Relations Coordinator Shaimaa Zayan, E-Mail: shaimaa.zayan@cairtx.