QBP RICHARDS ON DIWALI BEING DESIGNATED A PUBLIC SCHOOL HOLIDAY IN NYC

(June 26, 2023 at 11:15am)

QUEENS, NY – Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. stated the following in response to the long-awaited designation of Diwali as a holiday in New York City public schools, beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

“Just as the Diwali holiday symbolizes, light has prevailed once again for thousands of Sikh, Hindu, Jain and Buddhist residents across Queens. Forcing families to choose between the education of their children and the practice of their faith as a unit is far from just, but I couldn’t be happier for all our Diwali-celebrating neighbors who will never again have to make that choice,” said Borough President RICHARDS. “This push to establish Diwali as a public school holiday has been a long and arduous one, but Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar, Mayor Adams and all our faith leaders deserve tremendous credit for their persistence in making this day a reality. Congratulations to all our families who celebrate the Festival of Lights — may this fall’s Diwali be the most joyous yet.”

Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on Twitter and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram

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