Outside of some schools in the Pikesville area attendance was never low enough to justify the closing for the Jewish holidays. Offering students choice would result in more converts then you would believe. I believe this group has a legit argument and may very well win if they pursued it in court. Logic is a great defense.

question to the superintendent of BCPS:

What are the data you have to support granting the clearly two religious Jewish holidays as school closing days and not extend the same for Muslim, Hindu, Bhuddist, seikh..Americans of this County? If you have any data, can those data be verified? If not, then all minorities holidays must be treated equaly. Federal and State holidays are not an issue.

Bash Pharoan MD

ADC Baltimore chapter president
05/08/07

Let’s clarify this argument. Backed by state law – it is illegal to close schools solely for religious purposes??? Maybe I’m mistaken but Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashana, Christmas and Good Friday are purely RELIGIOUS holidays. School systems are not allowed to ask for religious affiliations so they decide on their own to close schools only on particular holidays because schools are assuming that they will have a large number of absentees both from a student standpoint and teachers. This type of discrimination has gone on far too long. Spring break consists of Good Friday and Easter Monday plus either a week before or the week after. Six days to celebrate Easter but Muslims can’t even get one day off? Two weeks during Christmas or as the school puts it, Winter Break but again, Muslims can’t be granted one day off so that they can celebrate with their families? Kids that celebrate Christmas and Easter would be heart broken if they were told that the Easter bunny and Santa Claus didn’t exist. The fact that school systems do not recognize Muslim holidays sends the exact same message to Muslim children.

These questions are for the Board attorney(s).

1. Since school systems aren't allowed to ask for religious affiliations, would the school consider sending out surveys to get the opinions of parents in regards to the addition of the Muslim holiday(s)?

2. Why can't Christmas and Easter breaks be shortened to accomodate Muslim holidays?

3. Year after year, children who celebrate Christmas have something to look forward to. Muslims fast for 30 days and in the end have to make the decision of whether to send their child(ren) to school or celebrate with families. These two days off that we would like implemented ARE for the children. Aren't the children our future? What do we tell our children as to why their school isn't closed for Eid?

For Dr. Pharoan:
1. What did you tell your children when they weren't allowed to take off from school to celebrate Eid?

2. What keeps you motivated after so many years of being turned down on this issue?