As America becomes more diverse, many areas are looking at recognizing certain religious and cultural celebrations as holidays. (photo by tiseb)
A proposal in New York would do just that, according to DNA
State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is co-sponsoring a bill that would allow individual schools and school districts to shut down during religious and ethnic celebrations if attendance is traditionally low on that day anyway.
“There is no reason these children should be marked absent for observing a holiday that is of deep importance to them.” said Silver.
In the New Jersey township of Millburn, a proposal there would have made Diwali a holiday.
But according to the of Universal Society of Hinduism, the idea this week was rejected.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed called the decision unfair because Hindu students must attend school on a day significant to them, while the school is closed on other days of religious significance.
