By Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai
Something dramatic is happening that is likely to work towards religious harmony in the United States of America and by extension the entire western world. The good news is that since president Barrack Obama recently held a meeting in the White House to pledge to work for religious harmony in the United States of America, school authorities in New York state one of the largest states in the United States have offered holidays Muslim children during Muslim festivities.
The largest public school district in the United State will close for the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. New York City public schools are closed for other religious holidays, including Christmas, Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah, and Yom Kippur.
“Muslim students and their families who observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha shouldn’t have to choose between an instructional day and their religious obligations,” said NYC Department of Education Chancellor Carmen Fari?a. “This new addition will also enable a teachable moment in the classroom for our students to learn about religious tolerance and the societal contributions of various cultures.”
The action taken in the New York state is likely to spread to other parts of the United States. The population of school children alone is one million. This means that the city has a good population of Muslims. It is also true that the population of Muslims is growing fast. Indeed it is said Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. That being so it is our belief that the rest of the states in the United States of America will consider granting holidays to Muslims during Muslim festivities. After granting Muslims holidays the united states authorities must engage in dialogue with Muslims on issues of education and social affairs of people especially the less endowed. In doing this the entire world would communities would see the leadership in the United States in good light. In addition all nations of the world who look up to Barrack Obama for its activities would emulate her good example.
The good gesture has come after Ghana followed the Arab states like Saudi Arabia to grant holidays to Muslims during the two main festivities many.
Source Alhaji Alhasan Abdulai
Executive Director
EANFOWORLD FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
P.O.BOX 17070AN 233244370345/23326370345/ 233208844791
[email protected] /[email protected]
