Posted on May 23, 2024
Muslim students in Seattle face choice between graduation and Eid al-Adha celebrations
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For months, high school seniors attending Seattle Public Schools have been asking their teachers, principals, and school board leaders to change graduation dates in June. That’s because Eid Al-Adha, one of the biggest worldwide Islamic holidays, will coincide with the district’s graduation week.
The dates of Eid al-Adha, or what students call “the big Eid,” are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the holiday is expected to begin around June 16 and celebrations can last for about three days. Graduations for various Seattle high schools are scheduled between June 13 and June 18.
“I feel like we sort of have to pick between one or the other, which is kind of frustrating,” one student told KUOW. "It's unfair.”
The student is one of three who agreed to speak with KUOW on the condition of anonymity, citing a fear of being targeted over their Muslim faith.
The dates of Eid al-Adha, or what students call “the big Eid,” are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the holiday is expected to begin around June 16 and celebrations can last for about three days. Graduations for various Seattle high schools are scheduled between June 13 and June 18.
“I feel like we sort of have to pick between one or the other, which is kind of frustrating,” one student told KUOW. "It's unfair.”
The student is one of three who agreed to speak with KUOW on the condition of anonymity, citing a fear of being targeted over their Muslim faith.
Muslim students in Seattle face choice between graduation and Eid al-Adha celebrations
Posted from kuow.org
Religion
Islam
Seattle
Schools
Children
Posted 7 mo ago
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Graduations at schools are scheduled at times and locations for various reasons. End of school requirments, location availability if location if not on campus, and overall what is best for the majority of the students, not the minority. That is what is happening with a lot of things in our nation...when we have mass gatherings the minority is driving the train...if the organizer can accomodate then good if they can't they need the majority of the folks there then that is what is done.
NOW...let's change the religion and time. Let's say it was scheduled for a Saturday night when there is Catholic Mass or on Sunday morning when evangelicals go to church? Would this be an issue? Would we still be having this conversation? I doubt it. The tagline would read something like Evangelical Fascists are complaining about graduation during their worship time.
SFC Bernard Walko Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Trent Klug CMSgt Marcus Falleaf Cpl Vic Burk MSgt James Parker SMSgt Lawrence McCarter CMSgt (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence LTC David Brown SSG Paul Endes LTC Trent Klug
NOW...let's change the religion and time. Let's say it was scheduled for a Saturday night when there is Catholic Mass or on Sunday morning when evangelicals go to church? Would this be an issue? Would we still be having this conversation? I doubt it. The tagline would read something like Evangelical Fascists are complaining about graduation during their worship time.
SFC Bernard Walko Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Trent Klug CMSgt Marcus Falleaf Cpl Vic Burk MSgt James Parker SMSgt Lawrence McCarter CMSgt (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence LTC David Brown SSG Paul Endes LTC Trent Klug
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Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth
SFC Bernard Walko - You and I both know if this were evangelicals asking or trying to change this we would be called fascists Right wing Christian Taliban!
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Maj Bruce Miller
Sure....how far should we carry this in respect of religious/secular worship/mystical or supernatural observance periods. This would include not only the Christian, Jewish, Muslim or Mormon observances, but also such faiths as the Bahai, Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu and so forth. The list is long.
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The confluence of multiple things to celebrate have made the parties for my family that much bigger -- we don't choose one over the other -- all are worthy of our celebration
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