CLEVELAND, OH – 1/27/2023) – The Ohio chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Ohio) commends Beachwood City Schools for adding three new holidays – Eid Al-Fitr, Lunar New Year, and Diwali – to the academic calendar.

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, these holidays will be recognized as days off for students when they fall on a school day.

SEE: Three Holidays Added to Academic Calendar

Eid al-Fitr (“feast of fast breaking”) marks the end of Ramadan – a holy month of fasting, worship, and good deeds – and occurs on a different date each year as it is based on the lunar calendar. Typical festivities for Eid al-Fitr include congregational prayer, gatherings with family and friends, and community events.

Lunar New Year celebrates the beginning of the new lunisolar calendar year. Lunar New Year is celebrated by the Asian community worldwide.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a religious festival originating from India.

In Beachwood City Schools’ news release, the Assistant Superintendent Ken Veon discussed the district’s decision:

“I’m hopeful, through this simple recognition of the holidays, that people from other cultures will know about the holidays, seek more information and an understanding about them, and most importantly, respect the practices of people who celebrate them to help develop a culture of inclusiveness and acceptance.”

CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland and Northern Ohio’s Interim Executive Director Faten Husni Odehlauded Beachwood City Schools announcement:

“As a someone that has been both a student and an educator in the public-school system, having to choose whether to go to school or work instead of spending time with family to celebrate religious holidays was always difficult. It is welcome news that Beachwood City Schools is adding these three holidays to the school calendar. I am hopeful that other school districts will follow their lead so that students of diverse faiths will not have to choose anymore.” 

By including these three holidays on their academic calendar, Beachwood City Schools sets an example for school districts nationwide for promoting diversity and inclusion.

“I commend Beachwood City Schools for adding these holidays to their academic calendar. While certain political leaders throughout the nation attempt to impose their beliefs and ideas on the education system to cause division and alienate certain groups, Beachwood City Schools has chosen to go in the opposite direction. I hope that more school districts throughout Ohio and the United States will follow the lead of Beachwood City Schools to be more inclusive and accepting of the various cultural and religious backgrounds of their students,” said CAIR-Ohio, Cleveland chapter’s Paralegal Areege Hammad.

SEE: Beachwood City Schools add 3 new holidays

SEE: Beachwood students get 3 new academic holidays off

Many other school districts nationwide are also adding Eid holidays to their calendars.

Washington, D.C., based CAIR offers a booklet, called “An Educator’s Guide to Islamic Religious Practices,” designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.

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-Ohio, Cleveland Chapter Interim Executive Director Faten Odeh, 216.830.2247, fodeh@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202.744.7726, ihooper@cair.com