Burnley College lecturers disgruntled after being denied day off for Eid (From Burnley and Pendle Citizen)

Burnley College lecturers disgruntled after being denied day off for Eid

11:00am Saturday 27th October 2012 in News

DISGRUNTLED Muslim college lecturers are to contact their union after being denied a day off for Eid.

Burnley College prevented a number of staff from celebrating the holy day as yesterday was a staff development day.

However other colleges in the area, such as Blackburn College and Saint Mary’s College, Blackburn, allowed all their Muslim staff the day off.

It is understood time-off was taken under annual leave.

One teacher said: “If this is about having us all there for the staff development day, they could have just planned ahead. It’s not exactly rocket science.

“It is such an important day to Muslims, where we meet and pray and spend time with family and if other colleges can manage it I can’t see why ours can’t too.

“I will be contacting the University and College Union and the governers to make sure this doesn’t happen again next year. I had asked for it under my annual leave.”

A spokesperson for Saint Mary’s College said: “We planned for it because we knew in advance that Eid was going to fall on the 26th.

“And in accordance with the college student attendance procedures, students are allowed an authorised absence for Eid or other recognised religious festivals.

“Staff are allowed one day a year paid leave for Eid or other religious observance or recognised religious festival.

“Colleagues can also apply for additional unpaid leave and each case will be assessed on its own merits, taking account of the operational needs of the organisation.”

After contacting Burnley College they were yesterday unavailable to comment.

The second Eid of the year is known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ and coincides with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.