BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Broward Commissioners passed a resolution encouraging the School Board of Broward County to include the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr as an official day off whenever the holiday falls on a regular school day. The resolution was sponsored by Broward Commissioner Barbara Sharief.
The Muslim Federation of South Florida estimates there are more than 75,000 Muslims in Broward County, including more than 25,000 Muslim students.
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month during which many Muslims fast. Eid al-Fitr begins this year on Thursday, May 13, 2021.
“This resolution encourages the School Board of Broward County to include Eid al-Fitr as an official day off on the school calendar, much like Good Friday, Yom Kippur and Christmas. For Muslims, Eid al-Fitr is a religious day,” said Commissioner Dr. Barbara Sharief.
The resolution will be sent to the School Board of Broward County for consideration.
In addition, Commissioner Dr. Sharief asked that the County Attorney prepare a document that will permit full-time and part-time employees to take Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as paid days off using personal days or annual leave, or as unpaid days off. In the Muslim faith, Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim’s sacrifice of his son to God and is celebrated this year on July 20th. If the School Board approves Eid al-Fitr as an official day off, Commissioners will be asked to approve the same for County employees in order to care for their school age children.
“Our County is rich in ethnic and cultural diversity and I believe our respect for a broad range of faiths is one of our strengths as a community,” said Sharief.
That item will come before the Commission at a later date for discussion and a vote.
February 1, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kimberly Maroe
Public Information Manager
Broward County Commission
(954) 357-8053
kmaroe@broward.org