S1241-2013 Actions

• Jan 9, 2013: REFERRED TO EDUCATION

S1241-2013 Memo

BILL NUMBER:S1241

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:
2011-12:  S.1762  Referred to Education Committee
2009-10:  S.5837A Referred to Education Committee
2007-08:  S.3142  Referred to Education Committee

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.

EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

S1241-2013 Text

 S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 
 
                                         1241
 2013-2014 Regular Sessions
 I N  SENATE
 (PREFILED)
 January 9, 2013
 
 Introduced  by  Sens. PERKINS, PARKER, SERRANO -- read twice and ordered
 printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee  on  Educa
 tion
 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 ASSEM
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

 

Section 1. The education law is amended by adding a new section 2590-v
 to read as follows:

 

S 2590-V. EID UL-FITR AND EID UL-ADHA TO BE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.  NOTWITH
 STANDING 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.
 

S 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
 EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
 [ ] is old law to be omitted.
 LBD01941-01-3

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