New York Schools to Recognize Eid al-Adha as Holiday

Families gather outside a New York school to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

News Summary

New York State schools will officially recognize Eid al-Adha as a holiday starting June 5, 2025. This decision allows nearly all public high schools in the state to celebrate this important date in the Islamic calendar, designated as the Feast of Sacrifice. The holiday will span from Friday through the following Tuesday, creating an extended weekend for families. While the move aims to enhance cultural recognition, it has raised concerns among parents about scheduling and child care as schools continue to recognize various holidays throughout the academic year.

New York City – New York State schools will officially recognize Eid al-Adha as a holiday starting June 5, 2025. This new addition means that nearly all public high schools in the state will observe this significant date in the Islamic calendar, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice. The holiday will begin on a Friday and extend through the following Tuesday, allowing for a long weekend of celebration.

Parents are advised to check with their respective school districts to confirm whether their children will have the day off on this new holiday. The recognition of Eid al-Adha is part of a broader initiative to honor Asian cultural holidays and enhance representation within the curriculum. However, the addition of more holidays has raised concerns among some parents regarding the challenges of arranging child care while balancing work commitments.

Many families already navigate a school schedule filled with various holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and Diwali, among others. For the 2024-2025 school year, schools in New York State are scheduled to close on multiple occasions, including:

Rosh Hashanah on October 3-4
Italian Heritage/Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 14
Diwali on November 1
Election Day on November 5
Veterans Day on November 11
Thanksgiving Recess on November 28-29
Winter Recess from December 24, 2024, to January 1, 2025
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 25
Lunar New Year on January 29
Midwinter Recess from February 17-21
Eid al-Fitr on March 31
Spring Recess from April 14-18
Memorial Day on May 26
Juneteenth on June 19
Last day of school on June 26, 2025

Moreover, New York City public schools are set to recognize the Lunar New Year as an official holiday for the first time, marking another step towards increased cultural representation in the educational system.

The movement toward recognizing Eid al-Adha and other Asian cultural holidays has been pushed forward by ongoing efforts from state lawmakers, including New York Assemblymember Grace Lee. These changes reflect a commitment to acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Asian Americans and the significance of their cultural practices within the fabric of New York society. The updates signify progress in achieving greater inclusivity in public education and highlight the growing representation of Asian Americans in state leadership roles.

As New York State families navigate the updated school calendar, they will need to weigh the benefits of cultural acknowledgment against the logistical challenges posed by an increasing number of holidays throughout the academic year. With both advocacy and parental concerns at the forefront, the future of school holiday schedules will continue to evolve in line with the diverse cultural landscape of New York State.