Muslim students welcome school calendar change

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Last October, Bronx High School of Science senior Sadique Rahman had a math test on the same day as Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays in Islam.

A member of the school’s Muslim Student Association (MSA), he came to school to take the test — but received two detentions for showing up late, as he had been carrying out the day’s morning prayers. 

“Kids are going hardcore on academics — just missing one test is so crucial,” said Mr. Rahman, 18. “They’re conflicted between their faith and possibly not getting into college.”

With the Department of Education’s recent decision to close public schools on Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of the Sacrifice,” and Eid Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, students in the city will no longer have to choose between attending school and observing those holidays.

The change will go into effect on Thursday, Sept. 24, when Eid-al-Adha takes place this year. School will also be closed for Eid al-Fitr, which usually falls in the summer, starting in 2016.

“It was something I’d been struggling with. This is something that took off a huge burden,” said MSA president Humail Patel, 17.

On regular school days, Humail and the nearly 150 students at Bronx Science who comprise the MSA can pray in a designated “prayer room” area — a foyer between the school’s cafeteria and a stairwell. The group shares the space with the ping-pong team. (“It’s quiet, though, so it’s a nice spot,” Humail remarked.)

But on holidays, most students, including Humail himself, simply took the day off — and were forced to catch up on work afterward.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Mr. Rahman. “It dates back to since we were four years old.” 

At schools like the English Language Learners and International Support Preparatory Academy (ELLIS) on the Kennedy campus, the change will benefit a large segment of the student body. 

Many of ELLIS’s West African, Yemeni and Bangalorean students are Muslim, according to Principal Norma Vega.

“I think it’s wonderful for them,” she said of the DOE’s decision. 

Bronx Science, Muslim Student Association, Department of Education, Eid, Maya Rajamani
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