I was reading the recent article titled “Christmas celebrators should foster inclusivity for others.” I found the article interesting, but it mentioned Ramadan in the list of religious holidays that school districts should give time off for, which I found a problem with.

Ramadan isn’t a holiday. It’s a month. It’s a holy month and a time of fasting for Muslims, yes, but it would be inconvenient for both non-Muslim students and Muslim students alike to lose a month during the school year, let alone a month that would change its place in the Gregorian calendar yearly. Even in the majority of Muslim countries, Ramadan is not considered a “holiday,” and while eating in public places may decline and restaurants may shift their hours, life tends to go on.

A holiday to give Muslim students is Eid. There are two Eids. While both would be nice to have off, the one associated with Ramadan, and therefore the one in question, is Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr happens on the day after Ramadan and marks the ending of the holy month and the fasting within it. It also is a holiday and not a month.

Best,
Mishaal Hussain
Senior
Gunn High School