A Lodi mom is starting a petition to add Eid al-Fitr to California’s list of holidays that would automatically excuse a child from school. The 24-hour Muslim holiday falls after 30 days of fasting during daylight to observe Ramadan each year, and this year will fall on Aug. 7 and 8 — in the first week of the 2013-14 school year.
Veronica Aziz lives near Blakely Park with her husband and three sons. She and her family are Muslim and attend the Lodi Mosque. Growing up, she remembers missing a day of school each year for the family gathering and prayers.
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joyce madrid posted at 9:40 am on Sun, Feb 24, 2013.
No where did I mention that the USA was only for whites or Christians. In the USA we do not observe her holiday or any other Muslim holiday. Again, it is her choice to raise her children in a country that does not support her religious holidays in our schools whether she is a citizen or not. There are many other religious holidays that our USA schools do not support.
My point is, she should be thankful that her children value their education. It is their choice no matter what their reason is. As parents we raise our children to our beliefs. As they mature they may find a different path than what we had chosen for them.
Yes religion is a great thing, but our childrens education is something we cannot afford to lose.
Her children's choices are there's and so are consequences for their choices.
Randy Hall posted at 1:12 pm on Sat, Feb 23, 2013.
Ms Bobin, I am serious as a heart attack, as was the 25th President of the United States of America. There was a time when immigrants so treasured the opportunity to assimilate into our society, that they kissed the ground upon their arrival, changed their names to a more American assimilation, and demanded that their children speak English. Did I say anything about Christianity? I don't believe in any religion, and I don't like having ANY religion shoved down my throat . . . that's the point.
Joanne Bobin posted at 11:02 am on Sat, Feb 23, 2013.
Why would you possibly question that, Mr. Scott?
I'd be willing to bet that if this mother's name was Jane Doe, there would BE no question.
Do you honestly think that there are NO native born Muslims in the US? And why should you care?
Jackson Scott posted at 5:46 pm on Fri, Feb 22, 2013.
Wow, I'm curious to know who you (Joanne) think "Robert Mauer" really is? An old poster with a new name? Nah, that has never happened. Leonard, Sam, Lodian. T&C... no, we all know Doug was T&C. He's still posting on the record as Richie Rich. I guess he's joined the GOB club lol!
Jackson Scott posted at 5:42 pm on Fri, Feb 22, 2013.
Joanne, your use of the word "Americans" is puzzling. Are your referencing their citizenship? Were the children born in the US?
Jackson Scott posted at 5:35 pm on Fri, Feb 22, 2013.
Oh Doug... It is called Winter Break, those two weeks of school vacation taken towards the end of December and early January. Sure, back in the non Political Correct era it was known as "Christmas Vacation," but only as a point of reference.
Joanne Bobin posted at 1:17 pm on Thu, Feb 21, 2013.
"Senseless problems that have rose (sic) up in just 50 years?"
What would those be?
And yes, new persona, "mr. maurer."
Joanne Bobin posted at 1:16 pm on Thu, Feb 21, 2013.
You cannot be serious, Mr. Hall.
So everyone who comes to the US MUST ASSIMILATE - to WHAT? Obviously, this mom is an American, speaks English, her kids are Americans.
Must she, according to your belief in TR's quote, also adopt Christianity?
Is that your definition of "becoming in every facet and American?"
Ridiculous.
robert maurer posted at 11:35 am on Thu, Feb 21, 2013.
Exactly correct. By not doing this, look at all the senseless problems that have rose up in just 50 years, with no end in sight.[sad]
Randy Hall posted at 10:25 am on Thu, Feb 21, 2013.
“In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American … There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag … We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language … and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."
President Theodore Roosevelt
robert maurer posted at 4:23 pm on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
New prrrsonna? Holy cats, I've only been totally honest with all the posters and imposters here regarging my identity and my opinions. It amazes me that some who commit bigotry and give an example of it don't get it. Who in their right mind hasn't figured out that life is about choices?We just happen to be a country with more of them,thanks to visionary leaders and our military.
Joanne Bobin posted at 2:31 pm on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
Still at it with your new persona, eh? How long do you think this will last?
An excused absence STILL counts against a student's attendance record. Those students who have the determination to have a PERFECT attendance record cannot be absent one day, excused or unexcused.
Your comments about bigotry, "Mr. Maurer" make absolutely no sense, as usual.
Joanne Bobin posted at 12:14 pm on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
Ms. Madrid stated: "I'm also sure it was your choice to raise your children in the USA."
Where else is she going to raise her kids? She's an American and her kids are Americans.
It is amazing that we have people who think like this - that the US is only reserved for Christians and white people and all others should be lucky to be here.
robert maurer posted at 12:08 pm on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
It is an excused absense whenever a parent contacts a school and arranges a preplanned absense. Special rights for a few? Here we go again. If this passes, it should be mandatory to let all students have the day off. Some will play the bigotry card and have nothing to do with that environment,thus making themselves bigots.
Robert Molle posted at 11:15 am on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
I can only wonder what would happen if a Christian family were to go to a Muslim country and demand a Christian holiday off? I don't wonder whether the holiday would be granted i only wonder how long the family would live after making the demand....
Joanne Bobin posted at 10:30 am on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
For those who STILL think Lodi is bigotry free, I was having a conversation just yesterday with my mow and blow guy who had his son helping him (off for the P day holiday).
He told me, very proudly, that his son had asked him to take him to church on Sunday. He had previously told me that he attended the SDA church, but for some reason he picked a local Assembly of God church (that will remain nameless).
He told me he was so excited about the sermon because the pastor had spewed fire and brimstone (actually hate speech) about Muslims and homosexuals. "I loved it! But then they did the talking in tongues thing. That was a little tough to take."
I said "Really....the pastor spews bigotry from the pulpit and YOU think it's great, but talking in tongues is weird?"
I'm really having second thoughts about employing this person any longer.
Doug Chaney posted at 7:05 am on Tue, Feb 19, 2013.
Great comment, Ms. Blackburn. I learn my facts about the Muslim religion from an East Indian business owner and each time I shop at his store, he relates to me another piece of his history, culture and his religion. You can call it "winter break" or whatever you want, but bottom line, it is still Christmas vacation. Lodi opted to sppend $100K plus to have the town muralist paint the murals that are on the building at the Buddhist church, which are still there, so why not allow Ms. Aziz at least the opportunity to have her plea heard. I still don't understand how the murals at the Buddhist church building were approved as a grant from the Lodi arts at such a tremendous cost as a paid, funded project with taxpayers' money?
Jeff Tillett posted at 8:48 am on Mon, Feb 18, 2013.
I think you are very confused.
Jeff Tillett posted at 8:45 am on Mon, Feb 18, 2013.
No, he meant Pastafarian.
Peas be unto you.
Ramen.
Mina Blackburn posted at 8:40 am on Mon, Feb 18, 2013.
I appreciate the comments below that encourage dialogue. To the person who said seperation of church and state- there are 2 weeks off to celebrate Christmas at every public school in America. Wether they change the wording to "winter break" or not- it's very clear what this is for. TWO WEEKs. And to the one saying "Eid parties are at night so it doesn't affect school." That's like saying, "Christmas parties start at night- so we should have school on Christmas." Actually- Eid al Fitr tradition starts bright and early on the holiday when most people are still asleep- where everyone attends prayer- kids dress up- receive money, candy and gifts. People greet each other, eat sweets then spend the day visiting lost loved ones at the cemetery and visiting friends and relatives- eating the most special dishes of the year and celebrating like most holidays. It's a full day and just like everyone else who wants the entire day off on their holiday- this is no different.
Yes- it follows the lunar calendar which is a pickle because as someone said "it's a floater."
But if this was something humanity wanted to embrace as good faith gestures to all citizens to feel at home in their home country- they would find a way to make it happen instead of coming up with all of the technical details as to why it could "never work."
Sunny Samuels posted at 11:26 pm on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Pastafarian.....that made me laugh!!! I know you meant Rastafarian.
Doug Chaney posted at 9:03 pm on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Well said, Mr. Schmidt. Some comments here are more about the Lodi bigotry that so apparent in this stuck in the 50's livable, lovable Lodi.
Steve Schmidt posted at 3:11 pm on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
If the Muslims could just move their holiday to Winter Break, wouldn't that take make everyone happy?
[wink]
William Dawes posted at 2:24 pm on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
First of all, it won't even work because Ramadan is from the Muslim Lunar calendar, which means this holiday would have to be a floater every year.
Second, Schools don't get ADA money on holidays but they do get it for an excused absence.
Thirdly, There are only a set number of holidays which means one would have to be relabeled. Good Friday was taken away from the school Calendar, MLK Day was added, for example.
Fourthly, the end of the Ramadan party happens after dusk and school is already out.
Lastly, you would have to open it up to every religion whether "their day" is a floater or stable.
Since the Muslims have targeted San Joaquin County, I don't care if you believe it or not, I can't what to see what other Sharia demands will be made once they near 10% of the county population, now that they have the 2 big mosques going up. Now that they have a 10% student population at one Lodi school, look what happens.
Demands made elsewhere have been ridiculous (Michigan, Tennessee, London)
Steve Schmidt posted at 8:59 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
That said, kids should absolutely get Festivus off.
Steve Schmidt posted at 8:58 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Winter Break is simply an shoddy merkin disguising the fact that every state in the Union lets school out for Christmas. I don't necessarily want kids to go to school on Christmas nor do I want them out of school for every Muslim, Buddhist, Wiccan and Pastafarian holiday but I do think people might want to dial back their hypocritical faux outrage at this mother's supposed violation of the barrier between Church and State.
Steve Schmidt posted at 8:55 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
And yet "Winter Break" always falls on Christmas. Can you imagine the outpouring of outrage that would occur if it was changed to December 31 through January 10?
Robert Balliet posted at 7:56 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Reply to Steve Schmidt - School is out on Dec 25th for 'Winter Break' - used to be called 'Christmas vacation', in any case Christmas Day is a Federal Holiday - nobody goes to school on that day (perhaps you were being facetious). In any case, since the redesignation of Winterbreak, public school no longer recognize religious holidays - as it should be. Perhaps, Ms Aziz can teach her children that missing out on some goodies by observing her religious holy day(s) - by them not attending school - is worth the 'sacrifice'. I wish her and her family well.
joyce madrid posted at 7:25 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Very well said. I don't think you are showing bigotry.
joyce madrid posted at 7:22 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Ms Aziz, although I'm sure it upsets you that your children choose to attend school over their religion for those few days, I'm also sure it was your choice to raise your children in the USA. You should be thankful that your children are striving in school and receiving a great education.
Doug Chaney posted at 6:43 am on Sun, Feb 17, 2013.
Jackson, what do you think December 25th is? I think your real ideas on bigotry are showiing.
Steve Schmidt posted at 6:03 pm on Sat, Feb 16, 2013.
I know what you mean Kevin. When I was a kid, mys siblings and I just HATED it when we had to go to school on Christmas.
Jackson Scott posted at 4:09 pm on Sat, Feb 16, 2013.
“I don’t have time to keep track of perfect attendance except for this or that. Perhaps the family can take them for a treat of their own.” - Borchard School Principal Janis Morehead
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
Perhaps someone should remind Ms Aziz that the USA has a little thing called the separation of Church and State. Hence, school & religion don't go hand in hand. She should be encouraging her Lodi Mosque to start its own school.
Kevin Paglia posted at 11:09 am on Sat, Feb 16, 2013.
I can just imagine the outcry if someone tried to get a Christian Holy day added to the calender as a school day off.