CAIR-NY Applauds Mayor on Plans to Close NYC Schools for Eid Holidays

(NEW YORK, N.Y., 2/5/14) - The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY) today applauded NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio for plans to move forward in closing schools for the Muslim holidays of Eid ul-Adha and Eid ul Fitr.  
 
"The NYC Muslim community looks forward to finally having the Eid holidays recognized in our public schools. It will be gratifying to know that Muslim children will soon no longer have to choose between honoring and celebrating their faith or missing class. We applaud Mayor de Blasio on his plans to soon make this a reality," said CAIR-NY Executive Board Member Zead Ramadan.
 
SEE: Muslim Public School Holidays Will Be Observed In New York City
 
During his election campaign in October, the mayor announced his promise to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which take place at the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan and following the annual pilgrimage to Mecca respectively. "The origins of this nation (are) people of many different faiths coming together … That's why we have to respect Muslim faiths by providing the Eid school holidays for children in our school system," said de Blasio.
 
SEE: Both Bill de Blasio, Joe Lhota say schools should close on Muslim holidays
 
CAIR offers a booklet, called "An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices," designed to help school officials provide a positive learning environment for Muslim students.
 
SEE: An Educator's Guide to Islamic Religious Practices

CAIR-NY is a chapter of America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
 
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CONTACT: CAIR-NY Director of Operations Sadyia Khalique, 212-870-2002, E-Mail: skhalique@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com