NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio Moves to Close School on Muslim Holidays, Lunar New Year

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is seeking to close public schools in his city for two Muslim holidays and the Lunar New Year. Or at least, he wants to make them officially observed holidays.

“The goal is to get there," the mayor said on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show on Monday. "It is complicated in terms of logistics and school calendar and budget. But it’s something I want to get done in a reasonable time frame."

New York City Mayor de Blasio speaks at his inaugural address. (Photo: AP)

The Muslim holy days De Blasio was referencing are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

According to the New York Daily News, various groups in the city have long campaigned to have the Muslim holy days, the Lunar New Year, and Diwali recognized as holidays, but former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg believed kids shouldn't miss any more school.

A spokesman for the Indian community was dismayed that de Blasio did not confirm that he wants to include Diwali in the latest push.

“We are disappointed. We’ve been trying for a long time … It’s very important for the community,” Dr. Shashi Shah of the Association of Indians in America told the New York Daily News.

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