Bristol Twp. School District Recognizes Eid al-Fitr On Future School Calendars

March 24, 2022

Provided by the Bristol Township School District:

Ilayda Akbayrak and her family celebrating Eid in Turkey.

Harry S. Truman High School senior and member of the Student Advisory Council Ilayda Akbayrak was the main advocate for adding Eid al-Fitr to the Bristol Township School District calendar.

On Monday, the School Board of Directors approved to add this holiday to the 2022-2023 school calendar. On April 21, 2023, all students will have a day off school for Eid al-Fitr and teachers will have a professional development day.

Eid al-Fitr, also known as Festival of Breaking the Fast, marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims. Eid al-Fitr typically takes place over one to three days, and is celebrated by going to mosque for special prayer in the morning followed by spending time with family and friends. Money and candy are also given to children as gifts.

Akbayrak describes Eid al-Fitr as a joyous celebration for cultural and religious connection after a month of fasting. The festival is a national holiday in many countries with large Muslim populations. Because the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, Eid al-Fitr falls on a different day each year, but is usually in April or May.

Typically, Akbayrak would have to ask permission from the district to take off for this holiday and miss school, but students will no longer have to do so.

“I have younger siblings in the district, so as the eldest sibling and eldest daughter, being able to give back a fraction of what my parents and community gave to me is an honor,” said Akbayrak. “It’s a small step toward greater change.”

Akbayrak said the process was straightforward as the administration and School Board of Directors were very supportive. She had one-on-one conversations with Board members and spoke about the topic at the December 13, 2021, Board meeting.

“I was quite surprised at how supportive the administration and Board were,” said Akbayrak.

Next, Akbayrak is hoping the district will also recognize the second Eid holiday called Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. There is a symbolic sacrifice of a lamb, goat, cow or other animal, which is divided to be shared equally among family, friends and the needy. This holiday typically falls in July over summer vacation, so although students do not need the day off, Akbayrak still hopes the district will recognize it and list it on the calendar.

“We are very impressed by Ilayda’s activism and the work of the Student Advisory Council,” said Audrey Flojo Colletti, Supervisor of K-12 Special Programs. “We encourage all students to have their voice be heard and let us know what changes you would like to see in Bristol Township School District.”