Montgomery County Board of Education Makes National Embarrassing Headlines!!!
For Immiediate Release
Press Release
No Holidays for
Montgomery County Children
Rockville: : In a 7-1 vote this past week, the
Montgomery County Board of Education voted to remove all religious references
from the 2015-2016 calendar. The result - absolutely no reference to Christmas,
Easter, Yom Kippur or Rosh Hashanah, despite the importance of these holidays
on both religious and cultural levels.
This drastic action results from
building pressure that Muslim leaders have been putting on the Board to close
school on at least one of the two major Muslim holidays. However, the
intentions the board had for this action are woefully misguided. Saquib Ali, a
Muslim activist and former Democratic candidate in Montgomery County, said that
“ By stripping the names Christmas, Easter, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, they
have alienated other communities now, and we are no closer to equality.” The
sole member of the board who voted against this measure, Michael A. Durso
(District 5), noted that Montgomery County brags about its diversity and its
embrace of
different cultures. “No matter how well-intentioned we are, it comes off as insensitive...” he said.
While we believe that all religions should be respected equally, the Board's refusal to recognize religious holidays is a direct slap not only in the face of all major religions and their holiest days, but also modern American culture. Many of these celebrations have strayed from their religious roots and now stand as a part of American culture that unites individuals from different beliefs. To give all segments proper respect, it would have been much simpler to give all holidays recognition, including those of the Muslim faith, and grant exemptions to children who need to take those days off from school while they observe those holidays. The board has now managed to anger, offend, and alienate every major religious group in the county. Instead of unity, the Board achieved fragmentation and division - the wrong direction for Montgomery County.
different cultures. “No matter how well-intentioned we are, it comes off as insensitive...” he said.
While we believe that all religions should be respected equally, the Board's refusal to recognize religious holidays is a direct slap not only in the face of all major religions and their holiest days, but also modern American culture. Many of these celebrations have strayed from their religious roots and now stand as a part of American culture that unites individuals from different beliefs. To give all segments proper respect, it would have been much simpler to give all holidays recognition, including those of the Muslim faith, and grant exemptions to children who need to take those days off from school while they observe those holidays. The board has now managed to anger, offend, and alienate every major religious group in the county. Instead of unity, the Board achieved fragmentation and division - the wrong direction for Montgomery County.
To arrange an interview with
Montgomery County Young Republicans, please contact via e-mail, mcyrpres@gmail.com
Montgomery County
Young Republicans
Rockville, Maryland
posted by Julie Giordano For Wicomico County Executive @ 6:32 AM
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