New York City mayor declares Diwali a school holiday

New YorkDiwali, the festival of lights, is about to be a school holiday in New York City, Mayor Eric Adams announced Monday. Thousands of New York residents celebrate Diwali each year to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, and the announcement comes after state lawmakers recently enacted legislation designating it as a holiday in the largest school system in the US. Has come

Important victory for local families: Mayor

New York City Mayor Eric Adams called the moment a significant victory for local families. “I’m so proud to stand with Assembly Member Jennifer Prince and community leaders in the fight to make Diwali a school holiday. I know it’s a little early in the year, but: Happy Diwali!” the mayor wrote on Twitter.

New holiday replaces ‘Brooklyn-Queens Day’ on school holiday calendar

The mayor said he is “confident” that Governor Cathy Hochul will sign the bill. The measure still has yet to be signed into law by Governor Cathy Hochul. The new holiday will replace “Brooklyn-Queens Day” on the school holiday calendar.

Following the announcement, New York State Assemblyman Jennifer Rajkumar tweeted, “My press conference with @NYCmayor at City Hall today. I am proud to have led and won the fight to make Diwali a school holiday with Mayor Eric Adams.” “

As the New York Times reports, Adams said the moment represented a symbolic declaration to those who feel unwanted “that you are part of this city and you are not considered an outsider.”

New York is for everyone: Mayor

Adams said, “Now we’re saying that New York is made for everybody.” “No matter where you come from.” This year Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, so for the first time in 2024 there will be a day off from school.

According to the New York Times, in 2015, the city announced that it would close schools in honor of two major Muslim holidays, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.