MUSLIM STUDENTS, RELIGOUS LEADERS DEMAND MUSLIM HOLIDAYS IN NYC SCHOOLS
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New York - (WBGO News 6/30/2010)

Dozens of Muslim schoolkids, their parents, and religious leaders of all faiths took to the steps of City Hall to demand that City Public Schools add two Muslim Holidays to the calendar.

One year ago the City Council passed a resolution calling on the Education Department to add two Muslim Holidays, Eidul-Fitr and Eidul-Adha to the public school calendar, alongside Jewish and Christian Holidays. Approximately 1 in 8 public school kids are Muslim.

Councilman Robert Jackson of Harlem introduced the resolution: "We are not asking to eliminate the Holidays for anyone else. We are asking for inclusion, so that we can celebrate our Holidays just like everyone else with a day out of school."

Mayor Bloomberg is against the proposal, saying it would cut into the 180 days each year put aside for lessons.

© 6/30/2010 WBGO News