The Philadelphia School District will add two Muslim holidays to its calendar and the city will create a task force to study doing the same for the city’s calendar, officials announced Tuesday.
“Philadelphia’s history is based on being a place where religious freedom is part of its founding ethos,” Mayor Kenney said at a news conference in City Hall. “Our city was built on the idea that while we may be different in nationality and ethnicity, the city welcomes all to worship and practice the faiths of our culture or our choosing.”
The two holidays are Eid al-Fitr, celebrated after the month-long observance of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, celebrated at the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
The dates on which the holidays are celebrated change each year because Islam follows a lunar calendar. But this year Eid al-Fitr will fall in July and Eid al-Adha will take place in September.
Because the calendar for the 2016-17 school year has already been finalized, students, staff and teachers who wish to take the day off will be given excused absences, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said.
Hite said in the following years, the holidays will be treated like any other.
Because various Muslim sects determine the dates of the two holidays differently, Michael Rashid, chair of the Philadelphia Eid Coalition, said Muslim religious leaders from communities across the city have agreed on dates to be included on the school district calendar for the next five years.
In the 2017-18 school year, Eid al-Fitr falls during the summer and Eid al-Adha on a Saturday, meaning the first new holiday that the entire district will have off will be Eid al-Fitr on June 14, 2018.
The change could also impact charter schools, which Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. Hite said typically follow the district calendar.
Philadelphia, which has an estimated 200,000 Muslims, would not be the first city school district to add the holidays to the official calendar. Schools in New York City added them to the academic calendar last year.
Kenney said making the days city holidays will require buy-in from the city’s municipal unions. He said the newly created Mayor’s Task Force on Cultural Inclusion will “first and foremost” will focus on that issue but that the focus could broaden long term.
“I think it’s wide open and multifaceted,” Kenney said. “We have to take into account how society sometimes ostracizes and eliminates people from the mainstream because of extraneous kind of reasons.”
Philadelphia city workers currently have 11 paid holidays, two of them religious: Christmas and Good Friday. The School District also recognizes Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.
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Comment by Dan Lobel
Christianity and Judaism are compatible with our Constitution and our laws. Islam is not.
This “Freedom of religion” bastion that also removed Christmas from the school calendar in favor of “Winter break.” Apparently they are worried about offending muslims bu not so for Christians or Jews.
School officials, let’s call a spade a spade, shall we? Let’s not label something as done in line with “Freedom of religion” when it is done in favor of “politically Correct”
We ALL know where this leads: Appeasement and capitulation, and the loss of AMERICAN culture.
Have these demanding immigrants realized yet, that their ‘sacred symbol’ is used on outhouse s throughout this country? A crescent moon? Wonder when they will demand that we remove that?
When the Muslims (who reproduce like rabbits) take over, just try to get our Christian holidays on the calendar. It’s like the pot of water on the stove. If you put in a frog and the water is already boiling, he will jump out and save himself, but if you put in the frog and slowly turn up the temperature to boiling, he will slowly die and never see it coming. The U.S. took in just over 400 Syrian refugees in April and only 1 was a Christian. In May, the number of refugees was almost 1100 and only 2 were Christians. But, hey, Obama can say he DOUBLED the number of Christian refugees in May!
SO where’s all the cries from the left, ACLU and FFRA about ‘separation of church and state now”??
Crickets, crickets!!
They rant and rave about Christian holidays to the point many of them have been forcibly renamed so as to not offend Atheists, but have NO problems with this?
Man do we have wusses running things.
You and I think exactly alike. I thought that very same thing. Why do we have to amend our traditions, holidays, etc to fit another culture? This is our country not theirs. They can celebrate it if they want but to change ours to implement theirs…NOPE! This is a very bad mistake for this Philadelphia school. You live in OUR country so be compatible or leave. No one is denying them to celebrate their holiday on their OWN time but enough is enough.
No, ituser, we have LEFTISTS and COMMUNISTS running things, and their objective is ALWAYS to tear down and dismantle everything so they can replace it with their soulless COMMUNIST way of doing things.
They declared war on Christianity and Christians a long time ago, using the excuse of “separation of church and state”, a phrase that does NOT appear anywhere in the U.S. Consitution, by the way–but they have NO problem with ISLAMIFYING everything in SIGHT–how come THAT “separation of church and state” doesn’t apply in that case? Because THAT would not fit their destructive, radical leftist agenda.
OOOhh, he Doubled the # of Christian syrian refugees.. While almost Tripling the # of Muslim ones…
Sorry, but thats not an accomplishment i would be proud of.
oleteabag,
FWIW: Here’s the origin of the “church and state” quote:
“Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legislative powers of government reach actions only, and not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should ‘make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,’ thus building a wall of separation between church and State.”
–Thomas Jefferson, letter to a Committee of the Danbury Baptist Association, 1802
Next they will want Shreya Law and remove the Constitution because it doesn’t fit with their laws. If the Democrats take the Senate or Clinton becomes president, you can bet your A$$ that is exactly what will happen.
What is next Philly? SHARIA LAW?
NO NEVER, we Americans will NOT bend to Sharia Law.
If we the body public have anything to say about it we won’t have it.. BUT you can bet there are hundreds in power that would bend over backwards and sign it into law, just to appease these radicals..
Well said!!!!!!!!!
Dr. Gadget, I’m afraid that Christianity and Judaism are not compatible with our Constitution. You have to bastardized both religious to make them compatible.
Oh, look, it’s everybody’s favorite liberal idiot and semi-literate little TROLL, beowolfe!
beowolfe – Would you care to be specific so that we can validate or dispute your claims regarding Christianity being incompatible with the U.S. Constitution? Please quote scripture verses, as the Bible is the ultimate authority regarding the tenets of Christianity. Thank you.
Little wolfe can’t quote scripture, he might burst into flame if he does. Ask him to quote karl marx. He is obviously one of those “to each according to his need” dullards.
I love my country but hate every aspect of my government from top to bottom most especially the idiot well educated Progressives who support Islamic holidays.
I love my country, but fear my government. As far as the dirt bag mayor of Philly is concerned, if ignorance is bliss, then he’s the happiest person on the planet for at least 10 seconds, or until another government official pontificates over something else just as stupid as those two holidays.
Sharia law, here we come….
Which holidays; Throw Homos Off the Roof, Kill Your Daughter for Wearing Levis, Behead Journalists and Film it or Stone Women for Adultery?
Is this how to celebrate the holiday? What fun throwing homos off the roof or beheading journalists (sarcasm)
If, with the exception of the only five* “moderate” Muslims I know of, one is a follower of Allah, yes. No, it’s not my idea of fun, celebration or holidays, but it apparently is of, at least, 5-10% of 1.5 billion savages.
*Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Brigitte Gabriel, Wafa Sultan and Zuhdi Jasser
@nhpollack
Brigitte Gabriel is a Christian not a muslim. I have seen videos of her speaking, and know her story of her youth in Lebanon where the muslims killed many Christians.
bulldog,
I stand corrected. I was so impressed with her dusky good looks and passionate aversion to Islam that I thought she was a Muslim.
They won’t do anything against Islamist’s.. There scared of them.. Wait till they try to take the guns.. Then Hold On.. It’s Gonna Get Bumpy !
So where are all thee atheist, and the Flaming Liberal Left agencies, ACLU screaming “The separation of church and state”?, know where to be found, the silence is deafening!!!, nothing but “crickets”
Ito-9, please do not lump atheists in with liberals. I am one atheist who is highly conservative and who has never, not once, voted for a Democrat.
Just because I am not superstitious does not mean I am a Progressive sheep. I hate this idea of inculcating Muslim holidays into the school calendar. I don’t object to the Christian holidays because they have become practically secular in their institutionalization. They are so widely accepted, even by Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and people like me, that everything is timed around them. Besides, Christians are still probably a majority in this country and if the majority wants to select those dates as holidays, I’m fine with that.
I am NOT fine with students in publicly financed schools being told what to believe, other than facts. If parents want to keep their children ignorant and teach them that the world is 6000 years old, I have no beef, even though that borders on child abuse. It’s a religious teaching and it belongs in the home and in the church, not in a school.
The big problem we face today is that when Muslims reach a majority in this country a couple of generations from now (that is, after all, their stated goal) we will have their ridiculous religion crammed down our throats, complete with bowing down and sticking your *** up in the air a dozen times a day.
As i said above on my first post, i agree. the silence from the ACLU and FFRA is deafening… Had this been a Christian group wanting to get another Christian holiday recognized, the media would be FILLED with stories about ‘separation of church and state’…
BUT like with all other situations, the leftist ACLU and FFRA keeps proving they are only against Freedom from ONE religion, and that’s Christianity.
The words “practice the faiths” are key; it means that non-Muslims are infidels and must become Muslim (submit to Allah), pay $ to exist as second class citizens, or be killed or murdered (take your pick). You don’t find this insane behavior in Christianity and Judaism, and I wonder why the middle east is in flames and Syrians and Libyans and others are risking their lives to migrate to western countries? And that fool mayor in Philly has his head where the sun doesn’t shine.
…. and why these 7th century savages have been at war, even with their OWN people, for centuries? Haven’t WE been able to figure that out yet?
Better be soon because this vicious savagery is coming HERE…fast.
They only understand force and violence, so our milquetoast leaders are too scared of being called ‘racist’ to defend us.
Philly kids are already among the dumbest in America. Missing 2 more days to support terrorism sounds like a winner to me.
I would like to say Philly’s current Mayor just might be the worst in the city’s History. Second; and I DON’T CARE what anyone says; Islam IS wholly incompatible with the United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson; John Adams; and Thomas Jefferson came to this wise conclusion over 200 Years ago; when United States Merchant Ships were being seized by the Barbary Pirates; and forced to pay Tribute; or die. Islam IS a murderous cult. It IS the only so called religion in the world where if you DO NOT convert; you will be killed for it. I can see what our so called ” Education System ” in this country is doing 500 miles away at a glance. It is through the SLOW implementation; bit by bit; that todays students will be thoroughly indoctrinated to accept with open arms this worthless garbage 30 years down the road. I truly fear for the future of this country as a Society and Nation; and I’am sincerely glad I won’t be around to bear witness to the Nightmare In Hell this country will be 25 – 30 Years in the future. Not Kidding.
Are those the days that the boys rape the goats and donkeys, or are those the days that the older muslim men rape the boys and little girls?
Personally, I have no objection to adding ANY extra religion’s holidays, Chinese New Year, whatever, so long as: 1. All existing holidays are not cut out, 2 Or these new holidays are to be SOLELY celebrated by Muslims, AND Christian holidays will NOT( meaning un-involved religion adherents work on those holidays), as well as vice-versa! This MUST include Christmas, a HATED day for Muslims, I understand, as it celebrates the birth of Jesus, a Jew!
Obviously number 2 above will be unenforceable, as NO one wants to be excluded from time off. We solely are left with number 1!
Think is, we have seen in MANY school districts where Christian focused holidays (Xmas, Easter) have forcibly been RENAMED to not offend. SO how is THAT being inclusive??
I will NEVER, EVER, EVER submit to Islam. I will fight Islam with every fiber of my being for as long as I live because Islam is pure satanic evil. If you are really serious about Islam dominating the United States and the world, you are going to have to come through me. You are going to have to kill me. Good luck with that. And understand that if you or some of your musloid boyfriends do actually manage to kill me, The Final Crusade will officially commence five minutes later, and then, despite your genetic mental retardation, you will be made to understand with crystal clarity what the word “defeat” means. Either way, I win, so come and get it.
“Lord, make me fast and accurate.
Let my aim be true and my hand be faster than those who would seek to destroy me.
Grant me victory over my foes and those that wish to do harm to me and mine.
Let not my last thought be, if I only had a gun.
And Lord, if today is truly the day that you call me home, let me die in a pile of empty brass.”
–Anon.
bobgorski …. One day you guys will realize that you don’t have a clue….
Religious and U.S. Public Holidays, 2015-2016
Rosh Hashanah Jewish 9/14/15 – 9/15/15 Monday – Tuesday
Yom Kippur Jewish 9/23/15 Wednesday
Sukkoth Jewish 9/28/15 Monday
Sh’mini Atzeret Jewish 10/5/15 Monday
Simchat Torah Jewish 10/6/15 Tuesday
Navaratri/Dassehra
Hindu 10/13/15 – 10/22/15 Tuesday – Thursday
Diwali Hindu 11/11/15 Wednesday
Hanukkah Jewish 12/7/15 – 12/14/14 Monday – Monday
Christmas Day Christian 12/25/15 Friday
Christmas (Orthodox) Orthodox Christian 1/7/16 Thursday
https://diversity.umn.edu/eoaa/religiouscalendar20152016
Funny, when i was at school, other than Xmas, not ONE of those holidays did we honor/get a day off for..
Christmas is the only U.S. public holiday on your list. Religious holiday and public holiday are not the same thing. Follow your link AND read it.
Little wolfe,
One day you will realize that your liberal mentality did you no favors in the eyes of God.
Since, according to the 1952 Immigration Laws, NO member of a group that advocates violent overthrow of the US government or replacing our Constitution with anything ELSE, such as Shariah Law, can be admitted as an immigrant, then EVERY Muslim who came here from anywhere ELSE is in the country ILLEGALLY. And if they have managed to become citizens, that citizenship is INVALID because it was ILLEGALLY OBTAINED.
All that being the case, there is NO REASON to be observing Muslim holidays in schools OR municipalities, because why should we celebrate the holidays of this ILLEGAL GROUP that is completely incompatible with Western civilization and our form of government?
This country no longer celebrates any purely Christian holiday, Christmas has been taken over by the commercial interests (Sparkle Season etc.) so everybody celebrates it! They want two so each religion gets two: say Yom Kippur and Roshashnah, then Good Friday and All Saints; that is six days that every student gets off unless it falls on a day when there normally is no school like Saturday and Sunday. This way the ACLU and FFR will have a fit trying to figure out which religion is being established, also then the Ten Commandments monuments and Star of David, Crosses and Crucifixes, and Islamic Crescent and Star would have equal standing. No one religion would be established therefore free exercise would be secured.
This was stupid Mayor Kenney to Chik-fil-a….talk about a pandering politician…I am not a fan of Donald Trump but seeing people like Kenney makes me a firm supporter of Trump…Kenney…what a brown-nosing, pandering, nothing
“It is with profound disillusionment and a sense of deep sadness that I write this letter in response to your recent comments. Last week you expressed support for denying gay Americans the prized right of marriage that heterosexual couples in this country so freely take for granted.”
“As an American you are legally entitled to your opinion, regardless of how insensitive and intolerant it may be, but as a fellow American and an elected member of Philadelphia City Council; I am entitled to express my opinion as well. So please – take a hike and take your intolerance with you. There is no place for this type of hate in our great City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.”
They forgot the holiday celebrating the murder of infidels!
I’m sure that was merely an oversight, randy822, as that is obviously an ALL-IMPORTANT day on the Muslim calendar! It’s practically their ENTIRE reason for BEING, after all.
islam is not a religion. It is a political cult masquerading as a religion, with one stated goal, world domination by any means, including murder. Founded by the followers of a psychotic pedophile, and murderer. All who claim islam as their “religion” need to be exterminated. They are nothing but vermin with a deadly bite.
“All who claim islam as their ‘religion’ need to be exterminated.”
With the exception of the four “moderates”; Mariam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Wafa Sultan and Zuhdi Jasser
Islam follows the lunar calendar. Why, follow the “lunar calendar?” Simple. Because Muslims worship Allah, the moon god. And the pedophile Muhammad who loved prepubescent young girls did not form a new religion, but a philosophy of world domination.
Philadelphia government schools and soon to follow the general government as well are all run by Democrats. The same Democrats who did not want to celebrate Christmas vacation or Easter break but want to celebrate dates for the moon god. Leftist Democrat dementia.
Another reason to home school your child(ren) or grandchild(ren).
Won’t be long before the young muslim men are celebrating taharrush.
These animals have already been celebrating that in Several EU nations…
As our Muslim population continues to grow, we can expect some members of that community to demand more changes to our society. Adding two Islamic holidays to a school system’s calendar is a minor concession to Muslims. However, the more conservative, observant Muslims will continue a subtle, persistent campaign to incorporate more of their traditions and beliefs into greater society. I will not be surprised if Muslims insist on having a state-wide or national ban on pork products. In fact, recently the Obama administration tried to ban pork in all federal prisons. U.S. Senator Grassley inquired why the Bureau of Prisons made this sudden menu change. He was told that the Bureau had conducted a number of surveys and learned that most of the prisoners did not like pork. Senator Grassley then asked to have a copy of the survey results. For some unknown reason, the Bureau of Prisons immediately reversed its decision to ban pork. I will leave it up to the reader to conclude what prompted this sudden change of policy by the Bureau. Also, there will be a push to implement Sharia in spite of it being incompatible with our Constitution. The Islamization of the U.S. is well underway and will continue unless we non-Muslims stand firm in asserting our rights guaranteed by the Constitution. By not surrendering to any unreasonable demands made by Muslims, be prepared to be called an Islamophobe, a racist and a Nazi. That is a small price to pay for preserving one’s freedom.
Each time you cave in and give them one small concession, that’s a green light for them to push for MORE and MORE..
The majority of our prison population is Black and everyone knows that Blacks traditionally don’t like barbecue ribs, jerked pork, ham or bacon, right? On the other hand there are a bunch of prison converts to Black Muslim, but I really don’t believe they’d give up flesh of the swine.
I’ve never understood WHY so many blacks in prison flock to islam, when if they would actually READ history they would find out that the whole slavery issue, was CAUSE their OWN tribes sold them off to muslim slave traders… SO had it not BEEN for muslims they wouldn’t have ever been slaves in the US…
Do we have Jewish holidays on school calendars, Hindu holidays, Buddhist holidays ? What’s next, Kwanzaa holidays ? Why do we have to cater to these brutal savages who want to conquer the world and prove it every day ?
If their rank & file did ANYTHING about these atrocities, they might have a case, but they do ABSOLUTELY nothing. So they are complicit in the whole Jihadist plan. We’re just going down the same mistaken road that Europe did. I’ve worked with 100s of Muslim and in their countries. So far, I haven’t met one that I would trust.
Not to my knowledge.. I don’t know of ANY US school that celebrates/has a day off for any of those..
Ok we cant have holidays unless the name is changed we can’t have any rights The right to refuse any one for any reason has been trampled Ask the cake makers but it seems like others have those rights they can refuse service to gays Christians Catholics they have rights we have none
Not Christmas Mid winter Holiday & all songs sung can not refer to GOD
This is America, founded on Christian principles and it is not the Middle East. When, and only when, they put prayer back in our schools and allow Christian students to show their love for their God by being allowed to openly talk, should other religions be afforded any special treatment.
Lord, grant-
for what we’ve sacrificed-
to rout the enemies of Christ.
Our issue to, we pray restore-
His love and peace forever more.
– Ivanhoe
That’s right my friends. We must abandon our souls for one generation to restore our beloved country.