(Your First & Last Name)
(Your address)
(City, State, Zip)

(Today's Date)

Dear Council Member (Last Name):

I am writing in strong support of Resolution 1281 to make Eid-ul-Fitr
and Eid-ul-Adha official school holidays in the New York City
Department of Education. According to a 2004 study by Columbia
University*, New York City is officially home to over 600,000 Muslims,
and Muslims represent one of the fastest growing religious communities
in the city. Today's unofficial population of Muslims is closer to one
million.

Approximately 12% of our public school's population is Muslim. While
Muslim youth generally take excused absences to commemorate these high holidays, in practice, they miss important class lessons, lectures,
and examinations. They are forced to catch-up on their studies at a
later date, which is disruptive to their education. They are also
marked absent for the day, which affects their attendance records.

An increasing number of school districts around the country have
recognized the importance of accommodating Muslim student needs,
including communities in Michigan and New Jersey. They have
successfully incorporated these holidays into the 180-day school year
with no detrimental effects on the overall school calendar and student
education.

Furthermore, in the aftermath of 9/11, it is important to raise
awareness about how important these holidays are to New York City's
Muslim community, and make the statement that peace-loving Muslims arean integral and accepted part of our City.

I urge you to express your support of New York City's Muslim
constituency by supporting Resolution 1281.


Sincerely,

(Your First & Last Name)

* According to a report released by Columbia University's School of
International & Public Affairs in their Muslims in NYC Project, 2004.
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/04/09/muslims.html