DETROIT (WXYZ) — Detroit Public Schools will begin closing for Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr in 2020.
Muslims celebrate the global holiday to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The Detroit Board of Education voted to add the observance of Eid Al-Fitr in the school calendar in April. With metro Detroit's large Muslim population, supporters say Muslim students are often left no choice but to miss school in order to celebrate the holiday with family.
This year Ramadan started Sunday, May 5 and ends Tuesday evening on June 4.
The end of Ramadan is marked by worship as Muslims ask to have their prayers answered during "Laylat al-Qadr" or "the Night of Destiny." Muslims believe that on this occasion, which is usually observed on the 27th day of Ramadan, God sent the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed the first verses of the Quran.
After these nights of prayer, the end of Ramadan is met with a holiday called Eid al-Fitr. Children often receive new clothes, gifts and cash.
Muslims attend early morning Eid prayers the day after Ramadan. Families typically spend the day at parks, eating in the sunshine for the first time in a month.
This year Eid Al-Fitr will begin the evening of June 3 and end the evening of June 4.
