2 Islamic Holidays to Close NYC Public Schools Next Year

New York City public schools will close next year for two Muslim holidays – Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The two Islamic celebrations were officially designated as public school holidays by the New York State Department of Education this week.

Mayor Bill DeBlasio made the announcement Wednesday (March 4) at a news conference, saying it was “only fair.”

Children from a community that is an “integral part of the city” should be able to celebrate their holidays as do others in New York, DeBlasio said.