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BILL NUMBER:S1762

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 º 1 adds a new º2590-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: 2007-08:  S.3142  Referred to Education Committee 2009-10:  S.5837A Referred to Education Committee

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS: None.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately.

Text

STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________

1762

2011-2012 Regular Sessions

IN SENATE

January 12, 2011
___________

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.
                                                           LBD06276-01-1