Muslim students allowed to observe of five holidays

Muslim students are now allowed by the Department of Education to observe at least five holidays in the school calendar.

DepEd Undersecretary Fe Hidalgo said the department has considered "five legal Muslim holidays and that schools in Muslim provinces and Muslim students in the country are allowed to observe the said holidays."

The holidays which the DepEd has considered as legal holidays for Muslims are the Amun Jadid (New Year), Maulid-un-Nabi (birthday of Prophet Muhammad), Lailatul Isra Wal Mi'raj (Nocturnal Journey and Ascension of Prophet Muhammad), Id-ul-Fitr and Id-Ul-Adha Hari Raja Haji.

Hidalgo said that upon a proclamation signed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Muslim holidays may also be officially observed in other non-Muslim provinces and cities. However Muslim students may be excused from their classes on the days that the said occasions would fall.

Article 172 of Presidential Decree 1083 states that all Muslim government officials and employees shall be excused from reporting to the office in order to observe Muslim holidays.

Hidalgo said the President may, by proclamation, require private offices, agencies or establishments to excuse their Muslim employees from reporting to work during a Muslim holiday without reduction in their usual compensation. - Jasmin R. Uy