MEMBERS of the local minority faith communities are calling for greater flexibility and accommodation for their religious observances in the workplace and educational institutions.

Stacey Mitchell, chair of the Jamaica Council for Interfaith Fellowship, noted that while the major Christian holidays are public holidays, members of the minority faith communities have to apply for vacation leave to observe their holy days.

“My constituency is different and very diverse. The Jamaica Council for Interfaith Fellowship is made up of not just Christians, but Baha’is, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, and each has their concerns,” she shared.

She was speaking at the Jamaica Observer Monday Exchange forum held last week to discuss the upcoming Religious Liberty Summit to be hosted by the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the National Religious Liberty Association under the theme ‘Fostering Unity: Respecting Beliefs’.

Mitchell, who is from the Baha’i community, gave an example.

“The major Christian holidays are public holidays—Easter, Christmas, and so on…I have to apply for leave to take my holy days as do the Muslims, as do the Jews, as do the Hindus. There is more that we can do as a society to be accommodating. That’s not to say Jamaica is not a place of great religious freedom; it is, and we have some things that most other people don’t have.”

Mitchell, however, stressed that she does not expect minority faith holidays to be recognised as public holidays; however, she is calling for greater respect for minority faiths in this regard.

“All I’m saying is that a general increased sensitivity to minorities would be welcomed,” she said.

Speaking on issues such as taking school examinations on holy days or the Sabbath for Sabbath keepers, she continued: “All of our religions have a certain amount of flexibility built into them. Many, if not all of our laws, contemplate that we may need to submit to civil law in some respects.”

Stephen Henriques, spiritual leader of the United Congregation of Israelites, like Mitchell, also expressed concerns about members of the Jewish community who have challenges in getting time off from work and school without giving up their vacation.

“Many of the Jewish holidays fall in the workweek, Monday to Friday, and as such, it has been a challenge for us to be allowed the day off of work. It just also depends on the employer, of course, and everything like that. But to get a day off of work without having to give up vacation or whatever is a challenge, and it’s the same thing when I went through school. It’s nothing that just happened yesterday or anything like that. It’s something that we’ve certainly, in all of my 60 years, I’ve had that challenge,” Henriques told the Observer.

He believes greater public awareness of minority holidays will help to address the long-standing issue.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Musa Tijani, director and head of education for the Islamic Council of Jamaica, likewise noted that there are challenges surrounding religious practices for Muslims in Jamaica regarding time off for religious observances.

He referred to Saudi Arabia, where the Government supports Islamic practices, including education and holidays, but he said managing religious observances like prayer and worship within work or school schedules locally can be difficult due to limited recognition of these needs by employers or schools.

Despite difficulties, he said Muslims continue to observe key practices like Friday prayers, which are often accommodated during lunch breaks.

“Islam mentioned to us that you must be patient, and whatever you want, you don’t get it. May God reward you to get it now. So you’ll be patient until you get it, and you know that,” he said.

He said there are ongoing discussions with the Government about providing more religious accommodation, but progress is gradual.

Tijani said a policy for religious tolerance that respects the rights of minorities is needed, stressing the need for dialogue and compromise in implementing such policies.

Mitchell also agreed with Tijani in that regard, noting that a policy could help to create a balance.

“All I’m asking for is that there’s a general consideration as to how the society can make a little bit more effort to be accommodating. We are always talking about us being one of these melting pots. Everybody’s here, all kinds are welcome. And I think that is generally true, but I do think there is a little bit more that we could do as a country to make that more tangible for people who are in the minority, who are not in the majority,” she underscored.