The proposed legislation, which was introduced into city council on Wednesday, March 26, was referred to the Education Committee. No hearing date has yet been set.
The concluding clauses of the proposed legislation calls for action. Rather than suggesting that a survey be done about the numbers of students who might benefit from such a program, or a feasibility study on how the needs of the students could be met or even, what the costs involved in such a program might be, the city council members cut straight to the demand:
Whereas, New York City’s public schools should be required to offer lunch options that meet Islamic dietary laws, thereby ensuring that Muslim students are meeting religious standards and are not virtually excluded from the school lunch system; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York City Department of Education to provide a halal lunch menu option to students at New York City public schools. (emphasis added)
No word yet from the American Civil Liberties Union or any of the other organizations that typically do a quick burn whenever anything that smells like government accommodating religious requirements is announced.
CAIR’S New York office had more news about its recent legislative activities.
Its press release explained that CAIR-NY had already lobbied the New York state legislature to urge the passage of S6834. That proposed law would amend New York state education law to require any city in the state with over one million residents to offer halal food options in public schools during lunch.