After a harsh winter storm pummeled the D.C. region last month, Maryland’s two largest school districts are facing backlash for using a Muslim holiday to make up for lost class time.
For years, Montgomery County Public Schools has designated Eid al-Fitr as a noninstructional day for students. The festival commemorates the breaking of a month-long fast for Ramadan, and Muslims gather to pray, exchange gifts, enjoy meals and spend time with family.
But the Montgomery school district recently announced that March 20, the day of Eid al-Fitr, will be used as a makeup day to squeeze required instructional hours into the school year. The district said it has four days to make up.
Prince George’s County Public Schools, which closed for several days after the winter storm, also is using March 20 as a makeup day…