Joe-So: Speak In Favor Of Approving Eid al-Adha As School Day Off

Education34 Comments

From Board of Education Vice Chair Joe Sokolovic:

 

  • Equity cannot wait—especially not with Donald Trump as President.As Muslim communities face increasing attacks amd isolatio, our public schools must stand firm on belonging and basic fairness. We talk a good game but Muslim students in our city are still forced to choose between celebrating Eid al-Adha with their families or falling behind in class.

    This Monday, September 14, 2026, the Bridgeport Board of Education has two importanr items on the agenda under New Business, and we need our community to show up in full force to support the approval of Eid al-Adha and support our Muslim brothers.

    1. Item 11d: Discussion and Approval of the Eid al-Adha Holiday

    Instead of moving straight to approve Eid al-Adha, the process faces calls for artificial procedural delays. and months of policy review—hurdles that were never imposed on other cultural holidays.

    The calendar impact is minimal, but for our Muslim brothers and sisters, the toward inclusion will have a massive impact on students sense of belonging. Show up and demand an immediate vote for approval. These delays only happened only twice both times when a Muslim Holiday is on the agenda. To be clear not one single district has a stand alone policy to approve a holiday addition.

    As one of two board members who appeared before the Muslim Community and promised to push for the holiday during the last election, I implore the board to support the adoption of the holiday at day off without delay.

    2. Item 11c: Discussion and First Read of the Holiday Policy Revised and Referred by the Policy Committee

  • A broader calendar policy is up for discussion, yet prior debate derailed into unworkable alternatives—such as eliminating all holiday school closures entirely and relying only on “excused absences.” Expecting kids to make up exams and missed instruction during their holy days is not equity.Equal treatment isn’t special treatment. We don’t need endless delays—we need approval.

    Show up this Monday to speak in favor of approving Eid al-Adha as a day off.

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34 comments

    1. Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى) translates from Arabic as “Feast of the Sacrifice.”Word-by-Word BreakdownEid (ʿīd / عيد): Feast, festival, or recurring celebration.al- (al- / ال-): The definite article (the).Adha (aḍḥā / أضحى): Sacrifice or victim offered in ritual slaughter (derived from the root meaning to sacrifice or offer at dawn/morning).MeaningHonors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God.Celebrates the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.Features the ritual sacrifice of an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) shared with family, neighbors, and those in need.If you’d like, I can share:How to pronounce it phoneticallyTraditional greeting phrases (like Eid Mubarak)The date for this year’s celebration

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    2. Hey Pencil Box, that’s all you had to do. I bet you didn’t even know the translation of ‘Eid al-Adha’..

      I have a very special friend who moved from Bridgeport to Canaca about 10 years ago. He is a practicing Muslim from Saudi Arabia. During our years of friendship, we shared many things of our culture and language. He had a strong dislike for radical Muslims as they made all Muslims look bad. I remember Jafar explain that true Muslims are people of peace, so much so, when ever Muslims kill a lamb or chicken, they never do so in the presence of other lambs or chickens. Infact, they cover the eyes of the sacrificed animal so they won’t suffer as much or see what’s happening to them. You go and have a feast at the meeting, just remember, if you get the urge to stab someone with a ✏️ , cover their eyes first. I won’t get in the middle of this effort.

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  2. Where is the petition process in action? Joe, you may have forgotten about attending a community board or commission meeting and finding that an agenda item so low on the list gets rolled over to the next meeting. What a waste is a reasonable conclusion.
    How many students are affected by the failure to honor the holiday in our schools? That has not been offered or mentioned yet.
    Thank you for the neighborly sense of the Bridgeport Islamic Community as represented by the Center. Performing works of mercy and charity on all members of a vulnerable community has a strong meaning as a responsibility for those who care about such faith matters. Time will tell.

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    1. John, I read your comment to Pencil Box, and I can’t make heads or tails of it. You know how I feel about “When I read the words’ Thank You” in this coded game/world. Consider it seems it is out of place, like “Chaos.” My “Spidey sense” says your comment to Pencial Box wasn’t very neighborly🤣,

      The Prophet

      https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jfhHmusjlgk

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      1. I mean, people, there is a reason Speedy, WEEPS, culturally speaks in a form of Spanish. In the words of our host of this thread, Pencil Box, “introspects” people on the hate, bias/racist and harm you are inflicting on the Italian community, considering you take no issue with PR Day and every other latino/spanish nation speak cultural celebration. JS

        Basically, if you are against this, you are racist/bias, preaching hate and intolerance against the Italian community in America. Make no mistake about that. That is who abuses dominant roles, taking down of statuse.

        https://www.haystack.tv/v/public-meetings-set-discuss-planned-return-christopher-columbus-statue-bridgeport-park

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  3. For all I know, “Eid al-Adha” means Kill all Puerto Ricans. Why don’t you start there? Definition,and inform others about your/their custums, religion, politics etc.

    “such as eliminating all holiday school closures entirely and relying only on “excused absences.” Expecting kids to make up exams and missed instruction during their holy days is not equity.Equal treatment isn’t special treatment. We don’t need endless delays—we need approval.

    “eliminating all holiday school closures entirely and relying only on “excused absences.”
    ¡Excelente! 👌 No need for the equal treatment vs special treatment argument.

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    2. I mean, Speedy, if you PR, chances are you’re Catholic, are you in favor of a Three Kings holiday?

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLFp_kQElsA

      Is it fair to say the Three Kings celebration is a direct result of Columbus and his Spanish employer, Speedy, Port/people? WEEPA is talking to you. Since you are so vocal about voicing the cancellation of Columbus in the public square. Should Columbus’s cultural Three Kings celebration be canceled too?

      What do you people say? Or should Columbur racist/bias view, voice be selective in its cancellation? JS

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnF1OtP2Svk

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    1. This is disappointing to see an educator put forth. Individual actors attacked the world trade center, not a whole religion. When you see your students today are you thinking of them as undeserving of the liberty to practice their religion? Do you blame them for 911. I ask you to take some time for introspection before these biases harm the children you come into contact with.

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      1. Pencil Box, Individual actors? Please. While we can debate the concept of liberties for individuals of a specific gender that religious practices have had and have on, and beyond, to say the least, by male-dominated actors. I will say it for another day.

        However, being disappointed to see an educator put forth such an emotional response is nothing new in American politics. I mean, have you seen the “biased”, being kind with the words, racist, so kind, attacks and reactions of people, the educated as well. Who have attacked and expressed vile emotions in some cases toward the Italians people and their cultural celebrations, because of an “individual” name Columbius, who neve stepped foot on American land, a nation that didn’t even exist at the time. Who spent 3 whole days on the Island of PR, and was employed by a nation who spreaded it laguage and “culture” through out the New World.

        Try to introspect on that during Columbus Day coming up, Pencil Box, people. SJ

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsrfaaTxSYg

        In the spirit of ‘Sacrifice” and the Prophet, and/or

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-74Tnb_7Dhk

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  5. To be clear this has been getting talked about since Jan/Feb and has been needlessly delayed by being sent back to committee and roadblocks put in the way.

    Muslims are more than a 9/11 stereotype. I am ashamed of some of the comments I am seeing here.

    Move with love, not hate.

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  10. Meanwhile.

    Interesting.

    https://www.facebook.com/reel/1609746587224726

    I will go so far as to say Gaza is a genocide, per se. More than a shit show of mass destruction/displacement to a plot of land that is never going to be part of the liberated Palestinian State, A state that doesn’t look like Swiss cheese. Particularly when an armed group fought the Palestinian Authority in the battle for Gaza. I would think.

    Hamas took complete control of the Gaza Strip from the rival Fatah faction and the Palestinian Authority on June 14, 2007, following a brief civil war known as the Battle for Gaza.

    Key Events

    January 2006: Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections, leading to extreme political tension with Fatah, which controlled the presidency and security forces of the Palestinian Authority

    June 7–15, 2007: Armed clashes and street fighting broke out between Hamas and Fatah forces in Gaza

    June 14, 2007: Hamas routed Fatah security forces and seized complete military and political control of the territory.

    Aftermath: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the Hamas-led unity government and declared a state of emergency, effectively splitting governance of the Palestinian territories into two separate entities: Hamas ruling the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority retaining control in parts of the West Bank.

    Overly optimistic, perhaps.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwrIGWh4Cds

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    1. My bad,
      Not saying Gaza is a genocide committed by the Jews. However, I will say based on the definition of Genocide and history. The Catholics/Christiandom and Islam come pretty close, to say the least. What say you, Iranian, Persian Zoroastrians?

      For that matter, every nation in the New World, Africa, Europe, shit the entire planet, in some form, even the communist ideology. Jews are like the only group that isn’t/hasn’t, per se.

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  11. Can’t speak on the concept of the chosen people, but I am sure there is enough “debate” within and outside of that, going around, to say the least. But it is perhaps fair to say that Abraham, being the Patriarch of all three denominations of the God of Gabriel, what does it mean, really? 🙂

    What say you Quran? 🙂

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEndmXPxyRo&t=42s

    It’s not where we go from there more than where we go for here? I would think

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZxZGdYkHDM

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  12. However, my thinking, when this shit show in the Middle East (Gaza) ends, and Palestinian people are liberated and get their own homeland in the occupied West Bank, and Jerusalem is united, Gaza becomes part of Israel since Palestinians have the right to vote and participate in their government, I believe, so the Palestinians either stay and become Israeli citizens or move to the newly Palestinian state in the West Bank. While the boards in the West Bank are settled Isreal settlers in the New Palestine state in the bank move back to Israel, including Gaza. Or give it to Egypt to govern the people of Gaza. What say you Board of Peace.

    What say you, Bullworth/Hollywood?” Mi Casa Es Su Casa”. Right, God of Gabriel?🙂

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS9V2ixTwrs

    For shits and giggles, but perhaps relevent of people disenfranchised,

    What you say, Democrats? P.S. When’s that vote on permitting commercial bus parking on Port’s streets that no “white” suburban town allows because it’s a blight on the community that depresses the quality of life of the residents who have to endure having a large commercial bus parked outside of their home,

    Consider A) it a job, B), the company that employs these drivers has a lot/business to house their equipment/vehicle when not in use. C) Even though BBOE members are in support of the buses being permitted to park on the street. “They” know it as a bad idea to hire such a company and allow them to have their employees store their buses on the city streets between shifts, ( I believe) JS, JA🙂

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Cg7Z2eZmcM

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  15. Speaking of disingenuousness, to stay the least. This is interesting.

    facebook.com/reel/1062130703089043/?s=single_unit

    Notwithstanding the “physics of reality” and existence itself or the “disingenuousness ” of people’s words. To say the least.

    While you can create a debatable conspiracy theory about the Twin Tower collapse. Which is the current theme around 911 that is propagated on social media/News? You don’t hear much about where/what happens where Trump spends his day commemorating 911, the Pentagon.

    The blind man in China can see just by looking at the photos and live news clips of the event and its impact. Shit doesn’t add up, people. I mean:

    The building collapses, and you can clearly see the facade of it folding in on itself from the still photos and news clips. The damage to the building shows no damage outside of the collapse portion where the wings would have hit. You really don’t see plane debris on any of the clips and images outside isolated images after the fact.

    That shit would have been all over the place.

    One of the most secure builds, and there’s like one shity- ass video that makes no sense and shows nothing. Any real-time news coverage that is released is highly edited, to say the least, and still shows well, shit doesn’t add up.

    Considering a plan to hit a building that is practically the same height. IDK

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gjZF2CZke4

    To hit a build of that size and height.t The plane would have to be literally flying, traveling at ground level, and getting a plane to descend to that level and travel for miles, clipping everything in its path in order to hit the Pentagon on the side at that level.

    That was an inside job, in my conspiracy theory, and considering the conspiracy of the “disingenuousness” of the current events in Iran. Where they built a primarily “girl” school by a military facility as a strategy stratagy where the “enemy” would blow it up to kill the children, as a means to influence the minds in this shit show in the Middle East.

    God or no God, Prophet or no Prophet. Religion or no Religion. To set up and “sacrifice” those kids for propaganda purposes is some fucked-up Evil shit, people. Make one mistake about that.

    That was a tango, job people, where it took two. One set it up, and another executed it. JS America

    100 yards and a few minutes, what does that really mean? 100 yards vs 2 miles. Not to mention, the school building itself was part of the military base and was converted into a school JS

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rot77odN68Q

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  16. I see a lot of Never Forget posts on Social, but how can you forget something you perhaps don’t even know or understand completely JS

    While I can attest to the physics of reality that is more then meet the eye. The question in my mind is what the F-K happened to that plan, because I see it hitting the building. Try to play nice, because it may seem y’all are just ants in an antframe level in this game. I mean, when you are in an elected office handling the elected government issue that affects the people you are elected to govern, while trivializing a matter, consider the plight of other human beings plight/issue like the millions in Gaza who are homeless, living in makeshift housing. Due to this shit show.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSIwnGEka-s

    To sum it up. The real question, John, in my conspiracy theory of 911 is, what happened to that plane?

    Because the news doesn’t add up the way I see it. JS

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urglg3WimHA

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  19. I know you love your words, Pencil Box, but please. 🙂

    Equity cannot wait—especially not with Donald Trump as President.As Muslim communities face increasing attacks amd isolatio, our public schools must stand firm on belonging and basic fairness. We talk a good game but Muslim students in our city are still

    I know you have to rally the troops, but how did Trump get into a local BBOE matter that an all democrat body fail to act. 🙂

    I mean really, “forced to choose between celebrating Eid al-Adha with their families or falling behind in class. 🙂

    In case you didn’t hear, Trump’s ICE is deporting predominantly Latino Catholics.

    However, you would have to think that at some point it will happen, considering the forces at work that tied Judaism, Christianity, and Islam under one roof: the God of Abraham.

    Well, in America, no doubt, particularly in Democratic-run cities. Incorporation and assimilation are a thing. Especially when you’re trying to get something out of the caveman Stone Age mentality. 🙂

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BNGd-luPlg

    Considering Eid, “Festival of the Sacrifice, ” is a celebration of Abraham, the prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God and as a test.

    That being said, have you ever thought perhaps Abraham failed God’s test and God wanted him to say no and give himself up in exchange for his son to save his life to show the love and sacrifice he has for him?

    That’s and logical ration assumptions. I mean, we all agree oppression, slavery, stoning the Gays that in the books of the God of Abraham are wrong, right? people?

    JS/JA

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EruoMoSTz14

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