(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 6/1/16) – After nearly a year of intense effort, working with the Philly Eid Coalition, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Philadelphia Chapter is proud to announce that the Philadelphia School District will add two Eid holidays to its calendar, making it among the first in the nation to do so.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said Tuesday he also hopes to adopt the holidays for city workers. He has created a task force to determine how the change can be accomplished.
See: Philadelphia schools add two Muslim holidays
CAIR-Philadelphia has been involved in the Philly Eid Coalition since the idea was developed at a meeting of its Leadership Forum in 2015.
“In this election cycle of unprecedented anti-Muslim bigotry, Mayor Kenney and the City of Philadelphia are to be commended for not being intimidated by the fear-mongering voices of hate and division,” CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender remarked.
CAIR-Philadelphia Staff Attorney Ryan Houldin added, “We are extremely heartened by the step Philadelphia has taken to protect the religious freedoms of Muslim citizens, setting a national example for guaranteeing the rights of the First Amendment.”
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Jacob Bender, 267-515-6710, jbender@cair.com; CAIR-Philadelphia Staff Attorney Ryan Houldin, 267-515-6710.
