File #: Res 2142-2009    Version: * Name: City University of New York (“CUNY”) to incorporate the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as observed school holidays throughout the CUNY system.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Higher Education
On agenda: 8/20/2009
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution calling upon the City University of New York (“CUNY”) to incorporate the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as observed school holidays throughout the CUNY system.
Sponsors: Tony Avella
Council Member Sponsors: 1

Res. No. 2142

 

Resolution calling upon the City University of New York (“CUNY”) to incorporate the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as observed school holidays throughout the CUNY system. 

 

By Council Member Avella

 

                     Whereas, The City University of New York (“CUNY”) is the largest public urban university in the nation and serves more than 243,000 degree-credit students and 273,000 continuing and professional education students; and

                     Whereas, The undergraduate student body at CUNY reflects the diversity of New York City, tracing their ancestries to 205 countries and approximately 47% of undergraduates have a native language other than English; and

Whereas, The “Muslims in New York City Project,” an initiative through Columbia University’s Middle East Institute, estimates that approximately 600,000 Muslims live in New York City, and represent one of the fastest growing religious communities in the City; and

                     Whereas, Despite this growing population, two important Muslim holidays, Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha, are not recognized as school holidays at CUNY; and

                     Whereas, Eid Ul-Fitr, is a time of joy and thanksgiving that is celebrated at the completion of Ramadan and involves various celebrations and special services; and

                     Whereas, Eid Ul-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is the second most important festival on the Muslim calendar, and is a day of remembrance; and

Whereas, The first day is the most important day of both Muslim holidays; and

Whereas, Efforts are being made to incorporate these Muslim holidays into the   New York City school calendar; and

 Whereas, Assembly Member Michael Benjamin and Senator Bill Perkins have introduced State legislation (A.8108/S.5837) that would require the New York City school district to close schools on the first day of both Muslim holidays; and

Whereas, Similar efforts should be made for New York City’s postsecondary institutions; and

                     Whereas, Currently, CUNY campuses are closed on a number of religious holidays, including, Christmas, Good Friday, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Passover; and

Whereas, CUNY prides itself in its continuing development of programs and policies designed to meet the academic and social needs of its diverse student body population, and therefore, should incorporate these two important Muslim holidays into the University’s academic calendar; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the City University of New York (CUNY) to incorporate the Muslim holidays of Eid Ul-Fitr and Eid Ul-Adha as observed school holidays throughout the CUNY system. 

 

LS# 7621

7/23/09

11:15 a.m.

TC