DK: Eid-e-Milad holiday for educational institutions on Monday, govt offices on Tuesday

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 11, 2016: DK district administration’s confusion in declaring public holiday for Muslim religious festivals continues. The district administration initially relied on a government notification dated December 9 to declare December 13 as public holiday for schools and colleges. However, based on a representation from Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, president, Masjid Zeenath Baksh, educational institutions will now have holiday on December 12.

In a fresh order issued on Dec 10, Saturday, Deputy Commissioner Dr.KG Jagadeesha said schools and colleges in Dakshina Kannada will remain closed on Dec 12, Monday on account of Eid-e-Milad. The government in its December 9 notification had declared December 13 as Eid-e-Milad holiday for entire Karnataka. In light of the representation received from Abdulla Kunhi dated December 2, DC Jagadeesha said holidays for schools and colleges have been advanced keeping in mind interests of students.

Since the government has empowered DCs to declare holiday for educational institutions based on local circumstances, DC has used this option to change the holiday for schools and colleges, said an officer privy to these changes. Interestingly, government offices in the district will remain closed on December 13 as per the original government notification for the festival, the office said adding Eid-e-Milad is not a major festival in DK compared to Bakrid and Ramzan.

Eid-e-Milad is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated often on the 12th day of Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar and is generally observed by the Sunni community. Salafi, a sizeable sect of the community are not so much into celebrating this festival, the officer noted. A copy of the latest order has been sent to departments of public instruction, PU and collegiate education and VC, Mangalore University.