Waterbury (AP) - The education board for the city of Waterbury has added two of the most important days on the Muslim calendar to its list of school holidays.

Muslim students already could have an excused absence when one of the holidays fell on a school day. But the vote taken Thursday means teachers and principals will be advised not to schedule important events on Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, a feast day that honors Abraham's willingness to sacrifice of his son in the Old Testament.

Imam Kashif Abdul-Karim, a board member for the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the decision will enhance the learning environment for Muslims and students of all backgrounds.

Last year the Board of Education in the city of New London adopted a policy recognizing Muslim holidays.