Why some school districts are adding Muslim holidays to the calendar

(The Christian Science Monitor) An affluent school district in suburban Maryland has become the latest district to recognize Muslim holidays on its calendar, a move that reflects a growing push for greater inclusiveness in schools across the United States.

Howard County, which is home to many of the wealthiest communities in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area, announced Thursday (January 14) that it would expand its list of religious and cultural holidays.

The announcement followed a unanimous vote Thursday night by the Howard County Board of Education to give students days off on the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, the eve of the Lunar New Year, and the Hindu holiday of Diwali, in addition to two Jewish holy days.