Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Barbara Sharief
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution No. 2021-020, the title of which is as follows: (Commissioner Sharief)
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY URGING THE SCHOOL BOARD OF BROWARD COUNTY TO RECOGNIZE THE MUSLIM HOLIDAY OF EID AL-FITR AS AN OFFICIAL “DAY OFF” FROM SCHOOL; DIRECTING THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE OFFICIALS DESIGNATED HEREIN; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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Why Action is Necessary
Board approval is required for a resolution urging action by another governmental body.
What Action Accomplishes
Adopts a resolution urging The School Board of Broward County to recognize the referenced holiday.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Broward County is rich in diversity, ethnicity, and culture. Our respect for the broad range of faiths and belief systems practiced by Broward County residents, including schoolchildren in Broward County, represents one of the strengths of our community. The School Board of Broward County (“SBBC”) has historically approved school calendars that coordinate “days off” from school-i.e., days when the schools and administrative offices are closed-to coincide with religious holidays. For example, Good Friday, Yom Kippur, and Christmas are traditionally “days off” from school.
The Muslim Federation of South Florida estimates there are more than 75,000 Muslims in Broward County, including more than 25,000 Muslim students. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month during which many Muslims fast. This year, Eid al-Fitr begins on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Several prominent members of the Muslim community requested SBBC include May 13, 2021, as an official “day off” from school. To date, SBBC has not included that holiday as an official “day off” from school.
This Resolution, if adopted, would urge SBBC to include Eid al-Fitr as one of the official “days off” from school whenever the holiday falls on an instructional day.
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
None.