What's happening
This bill requires New York City public schools to observe Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as official school holidays.
Why it matters
Promotes religious inclusivity. by officially recognizing two major Muslim holidays in the public school calendar, which acknowledges and respects the cultural and religious diversity of New York City’s student population.
Reduces school attendance conflicts. for Muslim students and staff, ensuring they do not have to choose between their faith and their education or employment on these significant religious days.
Aligns school policy with city practices. by matching the holiday dates to those already set on the city’s parking calendar, promoting consistency across public institutions and reducing confusion for families.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Add Muslim Holidays to Schools
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to education
- Referred to education
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Make Muslim Holidays School Days Off
In Assembly Committee · Education · Sponsor Marcos Crespo
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
5050
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
March 6, 2017
Introduced by Sens. PARKER, BAILEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Education
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring that the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha be school holidays in the city school district of the city of New York
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2590-v to read as follows:
§ 2590-v. Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha to be school holidays. Notwithstanding any other law, rule or regulation to the contrary, the first day of the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha shall be designated as school holidays in the city school district of the city of New York. The dates of such holidays shall correspond to the dates of such holidays as set out on the parking calendar of the city of New York.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07992-01-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the education law, in relation to requiring that the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha be school holidays in the city school district of the city of New York
Purpose or general idea of bill
To designate as school holidays in the New York City School District the first days of the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, to allow Muslim students, teachers and staff to celebrate these important holidays.
Summary of provisions
Bill § 1 adds a new § 2590-v to the Education Law, providing that those schools operated under the aegis of the New York City School District will be closed on the first days of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, beginning on the dates set forth in the New York City parking calendar.
No current state law provides for recognition of these important religious holidays.
Justification
Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha are two of the most important in the Muslim calendar. Eid Ul-Fitr marks the end of the month long fast of Ramadan. It is celebrated with communal prayers and other social activities. The prayers mark the beginning of the Eid Ul-Fitr along with social visits seeking to strengthen the bonds of the community. The holiday extends for three days, the most important of which is the first day.
Eid Ul-Adha marks the culmination of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It serves to remind Muslims of the continuity of their faith throughout history and connects them with the Great Prophet Abraham. The holiday lasts four days, the most important being the first day. At this time Muslims constitute approximately 10 of the student body in the New York City School District. No provision is made for any of their high holy days.
Prior legislative history / senate
2015-16: S.2436 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION 2013-14: S.1241 - REFERRED TO EDUCATION
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.