For months, high school seniors attending Seattle Public Schools have been asking their teachers, principals, and school board leaders to change graduation dates in June. That’s because Eid Al-Adha, one of the biggest worldwide Islamic holidays, will coincide with the district’s graduation week.
The dates of Eid al-Adha, or what students call “the big Eid,” are determined by the Islamic lunar calendar. This year, the holiday is expected to begin around June 16 and celebrations can last for about three days. Graduations for various Seattle high schools are scheduled between June 13 and June 18.
“I feel like we sort of have to pick between one or the other, which is kind of frustrating,” one student told KUOW. “It’s unfair.”
The student is one of three who agreed to speak with KUOW on the condition of anonymity, citing a fear of being targeted over their Muslim faith.
“This graduation is our first step into adulthood. And whether that means advancing our career by going to college or following another pathway, this is a really defining moment in our life,” another student said.
