May 2 Holiday Added To HCPSS School Calendar, School Will Resume May 3

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — In order to better align with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, the Howard County Public School System now will be closed to students May 2. It will be considered a professional learning day for staff and offices will be open. May 3 will be a regular school day. The calendar change was approved by the Howard County Board of Education Thursday.

According to the History Channel, the religious festival Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” is one of two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world. Also known as the “Lesser Eid,” Eid al-Fitr commemorates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. An occasion for special prayers, family visits, gift-giving and charity, it takes place over one to three days, beginning on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar.