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THE QUESTION
Should Schools Celebrate Muslim Holidays?
The New York City Council last week voted to add two Muslim holidays to the city's public school calendar, citing the annual observance of Christian and Jewish holidays. Mayor Bloomberg objects, saying the city isn't obligated to accommodate all faiths: "If you close the schools for every single holiday, there won't be any school." Who's right? In a country with so many faiths, should public schools observe any religious holidays?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on June 29, 2009 11:57 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Teaching Our Children the Value of Others
Teaching children at a young age that one can respect and accommodate a minority's needs - even when incongruent with one's own - adds far more to a student's learning experience than it takes away.
Posted by Hadia Mubarak, on July 9, 2009 9:29 PM
Every Group for Itself
When public policy is made in light of obligations assumed instead of rights asserted, we are all better off.
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on July 9, 2009 2:28 PM
Dear Mr. Mayor, Better Fight Other Battles
Mayor Bloomberg, do you really want to put yourself, as holder of a secular office, in the uncomfortable position of seeming to favor Christianity and Judaism as the two faiths deserving of school holidays? Probably not.
Posted by Gustav Niebuhr, on July 8, 2009 2:47 PM
America Has More Than 3 Faiths
In adding Muslim holidays to the city's school calendar, the NYC Council is recognizing Islam as having equal official status with Christianity and Judaism. It also sends the message to Hindus, Buddhists, and members of other faiths that their beliefs are less important.
Posted by Ramdas Lamb, on July 8, 2009 2:40 PM
Calcutta Calling New York City
If Mayor Bloomberg would exchange places with his counter-part in Calcutta, he'd probably reconsider his position.
Posted by Mathew N. Schmalz, on July 8, 2009 12:48 PM
Try Excused Absences
Mayor Bloomberg is wrong in saying that the City of New York does not have to accommodate all faiths. But he's right in saying that, given our vast religious pluralism, schools cannot close for "every single holiday."
Posted by J. Brent Walker, on July 8, 2009 12:14 PM
Liberty and Justice FOR ALL
There is nothing wrong with allowing Muslims to observe a couple of their holidays. They are American citizens; they are here because of the promised rights and freedoms.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on July 8, 2009 11:07 AM
Muslim Holidays Make Sense for NYC Schools
New York City is one of the most important cities in the world. Recognizing these holidays would send a message to Muslim countries that the United States is not only one nation under God, as we say, but also that our religious diversity is our strength.
Posted by Feisal Abdul Rauf, on July 8, 2009 9:51 AM
Is America a Particular Civilization?
America's calendar of public holidays should be limited to the cultural-religious roots which account for America as a distinct civilization, namely, the Bible (Christianity and Judaism) and the Enlightenment.
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on July 8, 2009 9:24 AM
Amercan Holidays, not Religious Ones
Most of our holidays are rooted in American history more than American religion.
Posted by Leith Anderson, on July 7, 2009 4:46 PM
Accommodate All Faiths, Or None
Bad news, kids. My recommendation is that you get only your own religious holidays off from school, and even worse, you will need to make up the work.
Posted by Susan Brooks Thistlethwaite, on July 7, 2009 4:42 PM
Are Christian Holidays Observed?
Christmas is observed not as the birthday of Christ--in fact in many schools saying "Merry Christmas" is verboten.
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on July 7, 2009 4:30 PM
Holidays Could Be Educational
The argument that the majority religion(s) must prevail is not quite democratic.
Posted by Arun Gandhi, on July 7, 2009 2:49 PM
Not All Holidays Created Equal
If Muslims are to get days off for their holidays we should ask for reciprocity in Muslim countries for Christian and Jewish holidays.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on July 7, 2009 1:44 PM
Public Schools Are For Education, Period
At a time when American public schools are falling behind public education in other nations in the developed world, it is sheer stupidity to expand the number of days off for any purpose, including a religious purpose.
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on July 7, 2009 10:24 AM
Three Wrongs Don't Make a Right
Should our secular public schools favor Christianity or Judaism over Islam? Absolutely not. Should our public schools favor religion over non-religion? Absolutely not.
Posted by Herb Silverman, on July 6, 2009 5:23 PM
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