Detroit schools close for `Eid Al-Fitr for first time

For the first time in its history, the Detroit school district announced earlier this month it would be recognizing the Muslim holiday of `Eid Al-Fitr

For the first time in its history, the Detroit school district announced earlier this month it would be recognizing the Muslim holiday of `Eid Al-Fitr during its adoption of the 2019-20 school year calendar, Detroit Free Press reported.

“We Muslims had been obligated to miss school in order to commemorate our sacred holidays, even though the district includes a large population of Muslim students,” expressed Mohammad Muntakim, sophomore at Cass Technical High School and president of the school’s Muslim Student Association.

Muslim students have been calling to recognize `Eid Al-Fitr, like other nearby districts, such as Dearborn Public Schools, the Crestwood School District, and Hamtramck Public Schools.

Muntakim was among the advocates for the new day off, hinting that the district already recognizes other religious holidays.

The day of observance was among the highlights of the new calendar, which also includes an early start to the school year, more teacher training days, a shorter mid-winter break and several days built in at the end of the academic year for snow days.