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The Islamic community rejoiced this past Wednesday, March 4th, as New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced to the five boroughs that he will be recognizing Muslim holidays on the public school calendar. Both he and the schools chancellor, Carmen Farina, have decided to allot days off to Muslim students for Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.
Prolonged advocacy from the Muslim community has not gone silent; starting this September for the upcoming 2015-2016 school year, the holiday’s will be appropriately placed onto the school district calendar according to the lunar phases. A promise made to the Islamic community in 2013, de Blasio kept his word by instating the holidays and having Eid added to the NYC public school calendar.
Eid al-Fitr culminates the end of Ramadan, the month long fast. Eid al-Adha is the feast of sacrifice which honors Abraham’s devotion to God. These sacred holidays are just as important as Christmas is to a Catholic. This announcement isn’t just an addition to the calendars, it’s a holistic form of equality and respect that transcends any religious belief. It effectively communicates how vital it is to give each faith the respect they deserve.
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A study conducted by Columbia University in 2008 revealed that 95% of the Muslim student population in NYC attend a public school. Students of the Islamic faith are no longer torn by the indecision to attend school and learn or celebrate and observe the religious holiday. Although students are regularly excused by teachers for their absence on the day of the holidays, lessons would still be taught and valuable material would be missed. And if they chose to attend school, they would miss half a day of festivities with their families.
New York City is undeniably one of the most diversified cities in the world. Students of the Jewish, Catholic, and Christian faiths are granted days off to observe their religious holidays, such as Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah, Christmas and Easter. This respective decision now recognizes the large Muslim community that has amassed in the boroughs.
“It’s just a matter of fairness, it’s as simple as that,” de Blasio said.
-By Yasmine Rimawi