Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Barbara Sharief
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO DIRECT Office of the County Attorney to prepare a Resolution amending Section 14.227 of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) to permit Broward County employees to recognize the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. (Commissioner Sharief)
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Why Action is Necessary
Required to permit Board direction to the Office of the County Attorney to prepare an amendment to the Administrative Code.
What Action Accomplishes
Directs the Office of the County Attorney to draft the proposed amendment to the Administrative Code.
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 represents one of the strengths of our community.
The Muslim Federation of South Florida estimates there are more than 75,000 Muslims in Broward County. Muslim holidays include Eid al-Fitr (or Eid ul-Fitr) and Eid al-Adha (also known as Tabaski or the “Festival of the Sacrifice”). Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month during which many Muslims fast, and Eid al-Adha commemorates Ibrahim's sacrifice of his son to God. This year, Eid al-Fitr begins on Thursday, May 13, and Eid al-Adha is Tuesday, July 20. The School Board of Broward County has been requested to include the first day of Eid al-Fitr as an official “day off” from school when it falls on an instructional day.
This item, if approved, would direct the Office of the County Attorney to draft an amendment to the Administrative Code to permit full-time and part-time County employees to take Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as paid days off using available personal days or annual leave, or as unpaid days off without use of any leave but with no adverse employment consequences subject to County operational needs. This item would further direct the Office of the County Attorney to draft an amendment to the Administrative Code, for the Board’s later consideration, to include the day on which Eid al-Fitr is celebrated as an official paid holiday for County employees if The School Board of Broward County includes that day as an official “day off” for schoolchildren, in order to allow County employees to ensure appropriate care for their school age children.
Source of Additional Information
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
To be determined upon presentation of the proposed amendment to the Administrative Code.