New Jersey School Board Makes A Decision On Closing Schools For Muslim Holidays Finally
The Jersey City school board stirred controversy Thursday after they decided against closing schools for a Muslim holiday.
After four hours of discussion about the idea of closing schools for the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the board voted down the motion.
Jersey City Schools Superintendent Marcia Lyles said that the decision was made because board members felt that it was too short notice for parents to make arrangements if school were to be closed.
A petition to close schools on the holiday was started in June by a Muslim Jersey City parent named Jessica Abdelnabbi Berrocal. Berrocal said she thinks that the vote means that “they aren’t ready for the change” but she said she will keep working as an activist in the community.
“That (short notice) is not the complete truth,” Berrocal said. “The Board of Education has received letters since 3 years ago. This battle has been going on for 25 years… We the people believe in our rights that the constitution have gave us and we will stand up for our rights. I will not back down.”
“We feel alienated from the board of Education, we feel alienated from this system,” said Muslim community member Omar Abouelkhair.
Related post
