End of Ramadan

Uproar after mail: Time off school for Muslim pupils

With confirmation, Muslim pupils have time off for Eid (symbolic image).(Bild: Rawpixel Ltd. – stock.adobe.com)

Should Muslim children skip school at the end of Ramadan? An email from a Viennese school is causing a stir. 

Tomorrow, Wednesday, Muslims celebrate the end of Ramadan with the breaking of the fast (Eid). In Muslim countries, people have the day off. This is not the case in Austria ...

So there was great excitement when all the parents of a Viennese secondary school received an email from the principal in their inbox. Content: "On Wednesday, the Islamic community celebrates Eid. This day is in itself a regular school day. However, we understand that families of the Islamic faith may wish to celebrate this day with their families."

This day is in itself a regular school day. However, we understand if families of the Islamic faith wish to celebrate this day with their families.

Brief an Wiener Eltern

Should children play truant?
"Is the principal calling on children to play truant?" asked some parents. The "Krone" asked. There was no response from the Ministry of Education to an email inquiry.

With confirmation, Muslim pupils have the day off for Eid (symbolic image).(Bild: Rawpixel Ltd. – stock.adobe.com)

However, the school in question sought clarification: "The email was a clarification that time off is only granted for one day and never for two or three days, as submitted in some cases." And it was absolutely necessary to submit an application. Playing hooky is not an option.

Official permission
Incidentally, a letter from the Ministry of Education to schools from 2022 lists Islamic and Orthodox holidays. With the note: Pupils of the respective religious communities can be granted permission to be absent from school on these holidays upon request.