New York public schools will add two Muslim holidays to their vacation calendars, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday, a promise he made during his election campaign.
Two of the most sacred holidays in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, will be observed.
"This is a common sense change, and one that recognizes our growing Muslim community and honors its contributions to our City," Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a statement.
New York, which counts about 1 million Muslim residents across its five boroughs, joins cities in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Vermont that recognize the holidays.
Before the rule change, New York students could take excused absences from school on the holidays but would miss the day's instruction, including possible exams or projects.
The dates of both holidays, which are based on the Islamic calendar, change slightly each year.