FOXNews.com
- July 01, 2009
New York City Council, Bloomberg at Odds Over Call for Muslim School Holidays
The New York City Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution Tuesday calling for two Muslim holidays to be added to the school calendar, despite mayoral objections.
The New York City Council is at odds with Mayor Michael Bloomberg over a resolution calling for the school system to observe two Muslim holidays.
The council overwhelmingly passed the resolution Tuesday, citing the city's growing Muslim population and the fact that the system observes comparable Jewish and Christian holidays.
But Bloomberg has spoken out against the measure, saying the school year will get too short if the calendar includes too many holidays.
Now it's unclear whether the proposal will become policy, as the council does not have direct authority over the school year -- yet Bloomberg just relinquished control of the school system to a newly appointed board of education.
"Right now the degree of control the mayor has over the education system is completely unclear," said Councilman G. Oliver Koppell, the only council member to vote against the resolution Tuesday.
Bloomberg could still block the measure. Though the city just reappointed its board of education, the state Senate could take action soon to hand Bloomberg back the reins.
Bloomberg predicted as much Wednesday, saying the new board would "serve until Albany rectifies its inaction and reauthorizes mayoral control."
And the new city school board is considered to be largely aligned with Bloomberg anyway.
Koppell, who sides with Bloomberg, said he's concerned that the calendar change would only benefit a relatively small fraction of the student body at the expense of the school year.
"If we accommodate every group's wishes to have off on religious days, we'll have a huge number of days on which kids are off from school," he said. "This is a slippery slope which we'll be going down. ... In my view, the school year's too short as it is."
But advocates are trying to ensure the two holidays get added to the calendar one way or another.
The resolution takes a two-track approach. It calls both for the New York City Department of Education to add on the holidays and for the state legislature to pass legislation amending education law so that the holidays are recognized in New York City schools.
According to a council aide, the state action would trump any action by the city.
The council, in its resolution, cited statistics from the Coalition for Muslim School Holidays showing about 12 percent of New York City public school students are Muslim.
The addition of the holidays to the school year would not be unprecedented. Several New Jersey cities, as well as Dearborn, Mich., have done the same.
The resolution said that adding those holidays "would serve as an important embodiment of ... tolerance and acceptance."
The holidays are Eid Ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid Ul-Adha, which celebrates the willingness of Ibrahim -- known as Abraham to Christians and Jews -- to sacrifice his son. It is the most important Islamic holiday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
From Pro-Choice to Pro-Life
-
Nov 09, 2009
Fmr. Planned Parenthood director
-
-
-
Shocking Warning
-
Nov 09, 2009
Hannan on global climate change agenda
-
-
-
Hannity's America: 11/6
-
Nov 09, 2009
Failure to communicate?
-
-
-
Misplaced Priorities?
-
Nov 09, 2009
Should Dems be focusing more on economy?
-
-
-
2nd Stimulus Needed?
-
Nov 09, 2009
High unemployment puts pressure on Obama
-
-
-
'The Right Decision'
-
Nov 09, 2009
Republican votes for health care bill
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 51.7% | 43.7% | +8.0% |
| Congress | 25.5% | 66.7% | -41.2% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.2% | 55.8% | -17.6% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,126 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 609 comments
-
Republicans Rally Resistance to Health Care Bill, as House Vote Nears
November 05, 2009 656 comments
-
Democrats Face Electoral Backlash After Health Care Vote, Top Republican Warns
November 09, 2009 557 comments
-
Obama Draws Criticism for Sitting Out Berlin Wall Anniversary
November 09, 2009 537 comments
-
Aid for Elderly May Raise Costs for Young
November 10, 2009
-
U.S. Lowers Goals for Asia Trip
November 10, 2009
-
Bills Would Set Limits on Big Firms
November 10, 2009
-
Fishing License Has Colonial Catch
November 10, 2009
-
Health Bill Faces Senate Heat
November 09, 2009
-
At last we’re getting our heads out of the sand
November 09, 2009
-
The laws that stain Britain’s good name
November 09, 2009
-
Gordon Brown screwed up by not screwing it up
November 09, 2009
-
Would you live on the wrong side of the Berlin Wall?
November 09, 2009
-
Graveyard of empires could claim more careers
November 09, 2009
recommend

Subscribe to Comments






