As millions of Canadians prepare to mark significant religious and cultural celebrations like Eid, Diwali, and Lunar New Year, many students in the country face the challenge of having their observances go unrecognized by school systems. For those observing these holidays, the absence of official acknowledgment can mean being marked absent, despite their cultural significance. This lack of formal recognition raises important questions about inclusivity and representation in Canada’s educational landscape.
A growing call for the inclusion of these holidays on the national school calendar has emerged from research conducted at the University of Calgary’s Werklund School of Education. The study highlights the need to accommodate the diverse cultural and religious practices of students, particularly those from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.
Rahat Zaidi, a professor at the university, spearheaded this research with the support of his team at the Transliteracies Lab. Their findings underscore the challenges faced by students at Brooks Composite High School, located in southern Alberta, where a diverse student body has grown over the past few decades due to the establishment of a local meat-packing plant. The plant’s expansion has attracted a significant number of immigrants and refugees, raising the proportion of racialized students from 3% in 1996 to over 45% in 2021. Today, the school’s student body is predominantly composed of newcomers, with around a third identifying as Muslim.
The research, which was conducted in 2021, gathered insights from a group of students who shared their frustrations over the lack of recognition for religious holidays such as Eid al-Fitr. Abdoul, a participant in the study, expressed his dissatisfaction with the need to call in sick for school on Eid, a day he described as one of deep personal and religious significance. Similarly, Fatma, another participant, compared the recognition of Christmas holidays with the absence of a break for Eid, calling it an encouragement for her religion.
“Having Eid, I fasted for 30 days, like a month, and I had to call in school and say, ‘I’m not showing up because it’s Eid,’” Abdoul said. “They should know and I shouldn’t have to call in.”
The research team also found that for students celebrating Diwali, Lunar New Year, and other major holidays, there is no official acknowledgment on the school calendar. In contrast, holidays like Christmas and Easter receive national recognition, with two-week breaks for the former and long weekends for the latter.
A Moment of Change
In May 2022, the Brooks school district took a significant step toward inclusivity by officially recognizing Eid al-Fitr on the school calendar after a vocal campaign by Muslim students and their families. This decision, though localized, represents a broader shift toward greater inclusion for minority religious and cultural practices in public institutions.
Zaidi’s research demonstrates the positive impact such changes can have on students’ sense of belonging and inclusion. “Being recognized matters, and acknowledging diverse cultural practices in school policy is one tangible way to combat the marginalization many racialized people experience,” Zaidi said.
The decision in Brooks Composite High School was a direct result of efforts by students participating in structured workshops aimed at addressing the challenges they face. The workshops, known as Critically Engaged Language and Literacy Workshops (CELLWs), provided a space for students to reflect on their identities and experiences of exclusion. Through arts-based initiatives, students were able to express their frustrations and advocate for change, leading to national media attention when their campaign succeeded in making Eid al-Fitr a recognized holiday on the school calendar.
A Call for Broader Change
Zaidi and his team’s work has culminated in the creation of a documentary titled Bridging the Gap, which highlights the stories of students advocating for greater recognition of their cultural and religious practices. The documentary also serves as an educational resource for schools and communities, showcasing how inclusive practices can be integrated into school systems to support racialized students and help them succeed.
“We have to keep our traditions for our children,” one parent in the documentary says, underscoring the importance of preserving cultural identity while navigating a system that may not always be inclusive.
The decision to officially recognize Eid on the school calendar is not just symbolic. It signals that educational systems are evolving to better reflect the diverse cultures they serve, offering a model for other regions to follow. Zaidi’s research provides a compelling argument for including a wider range of religious and cultural holidays in Canada’s public school system. Such measures would affirm students’ identities and help foster a sense of belonging that is critical to their academic success and civic engagement.
By making space for cultural and religious traditions, schools can contribute to a more inclusive and harmonious society, where all students feel valued and supported in their educational journey.
