University of Haifa to mark Christian, Arab holidays
Academic institute in mixed city will give students days off for Christmas, the end of Ramadan and the Druze Feast of the Sacrifice
University of Haifa (photo credit: CC-BY-SA Zvi Roger/Wikimedia Commons)
JERUSALEM (JTA) — The University of Haifa will become the first Israeli university to give days off to the student body for Christian and Arab holidays.
The university senate voted Sunday to give off for Christmas; Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan; and Eid al-Adha, the Druze Feast of the Sacrifice, Haaretz reported. A special committee with student representation had recommended the action.
Arab-Israelis make up about 20 percent of the student body at the University, according to its Jewish-Arab Center.
The new vacation days, which will not come at the expense of any Jewish holidays, will go into effect in the coming school year.
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