Dear Mayor Kenney:

Thank you for the strong stand you have taken – along with the Islamic community of Philadelphia -- that all religions should have the right to freely celebrate their holy days without sacrifice.

Although a City Council resolution calling on the City to recognize the Eid holidays passed unanimously on January 21, 2016, greater strides must be taken to adopt and incorporate the Islamic holy days into recognized religious holidays.

Currently there are 200,000 Muslims conflicted and marginalized in their school and work environments because their religious holidays are not acknowledged by the City of Philadelphia. Acknowledging these holidays is not only a fairness issue; but one that poses a challenge to the hundreds of Muslim City workers who are financially burdened for observing their religion. 

Mr. Mayor, we ask that you follow in the precedents set forth by the cities of New York, NY, Cambridge, MA, Burlington, VT, Dearborn, MI, Paterson, NJ, and South Brunswick, NJ; and recognize both Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha as religious holidays.  Make what is right, right and establish equality for all.

Thank you again for your strong leadership on this and other issues of diversity and tolerance!

Sincerely,

Supporters of the Philadelphia Eid Coalition