Maryland Muslim Students Seek Expansion of School Holiday Calendar

In suburban Baltimore Maryland, Islamic students are asking the county school system to include important Muslim festivals on the school's holiday calendar. The Towson, Maryland Northeast Booster yesterday said a school board committee is studying the issue. County resident Muhammad Jameel said Muslim children feel excluded because schools close for Christian and Jewish holidays, but not Muslim ones. School spokeswoman Kara Calder said religious absences are considered "excused". Students are permitted to make up the work and tests they miss. The school tries not to schedule tests on those days. However, excused absences do count against a student's perfect attendance record, which is sometimes important to qualify for certain scholarships.