Tisha B’Av begins tomorrow at sundown. Read the post that follows this post for an explanation of the observance.

And while we’re on the topic of holidays and observances, here is an interesting story:

According to Religion News Service, “A Tyson Foods Inc. plant in Shelbyville, Tenn., will recognize a Muslim holy day as one of its eight paid holidays in place of Labor Day, a decision that has left many residents angry and some proud.”

Typically, offices in the United States observe so-called national holidays (Thanksgiving, July 4th, Memorial Day, and so on). Some then give the additional option to take time off for religious observances. (Before we make it so black and white, let’s not forget the exception of Christmas, which some offices observe as a religious holiday and others consider a winter break.) This appears to be the first time an organization not affiliated with any one particular religion has opted out of a national holiday and opted for an Islamic observance.

What do you think? Is this a big deal? Would it be different if, say, the office opted out of Labor Day for Easter instead? Would it be different it, say, the office opted out of Christmas for a Muslim observance? Should the corporate world offer the option to choose which holidays you take time off to observe (be they religious, national, or otherwise)?

Filed under: Holidays, Islam, Judaism