News India Times

www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Community News India Times (February 21, 2026 - February 27, 2026) February 27, 2026 9 O n the eve of Ramadan, NewYork City Council Speaker Julie Menin convened Muslim community leaders at City Hall on Tuesday for a roundtable discussion focused on combating Islamophobia and expand- ing access to halal food across the city. Council Member Shahana Hanif joined the conversation, which addressed con- cerns about rising anti-Muslim hate and barriers facing halal food pantries. The meeting brought together religious and community leaders from organizations and mosques throughout the five bor- oughs, along with City Council staff. “I’m proud to convene this group of dedicated leaders to strengthen how we support Muslim NewYorkers, from con- fronting Islamophobia to ensuring cultur- ally competent services such as access to halal meals,” Menin said in a statement. “As we begin the holy month of Ramadan, we must also recognize the heightened safety concerns many Muslim families are feeling. The Council remains committed to ensuring that Muslim NewYorkers are safe, respected, and celebrated: in their mosques, in their schools, and in every neighborhood across our city.” Among the issues raised were the need to improve hate crime reporting systems, including expanding language access, and addressing financial and contracting chal- lenges that limit the ability of halal food pantries to serve families in need. Menin, who has made community safety a legislative priority, noted that one week into her term the Council voted to establish the Committee to Combat Hate. She appointed Council Member Yusef Salaam as chair. Salaam also participated in Tuesday’s roundtable. Menin has introduced legislation aimed at ensuring safe access to houses of worship, including mosques, and is working with colleagues on measures to strengthen protections and expand secu- rity funding for Islamic schools and other faith-based institutions. “As the only Muslim woman serving in the NewYork City Council, I’m grateful to join this roundtable as we begin Ramadan and address the issues facing NewYork City’s Muslim community,” Hanif said. “Protecting Muslim NewYorkers from Islamophobia and ensuring access to halal food are fundamental to our dignity and safety.” Salaam, chair of the Committee to Combat Hate, said the roundtable was an opportunity to hear directly from commu- nity members and advance policies that protect religious freedom. “Confronting Islamophobia and ensur- ing meaningful access to halal food are not symbolic gestures — they are neces- sary steps toward equity, safety, and full participation in daily life for our Muslim communities,” Salaam said. Community leaders welcomed the dis- cussion and called for sustained action. Erum Hanif, co-founder and CEO of APNA Community Services, said the meeting was a critical first step toward developing a comprehensive strategy to combat discrimination and ensure access to culturally appropriate resources. Dr. Debbie Almontaser, CEO of Bridg- ing Cultures Group, said she looks forward to working with the Council on a plan to address the rise in anti-Muslim hate. Heba Khalil, state director of Emgage NewYork Metro Chapter, said Muslim NewYorkers deserve “measurable action and sustained accountability” to ensure their safety and dignity. Staff from Salaam’s office, as well as the Council’s legislative, community engage- ment and finance divisions, attended the meeting to identify potential next steps for advancing protections and resources for Muslim NewYorkers. NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin Convenes Muslim Leaders Ahead Of Ramadan To Address Islamophobia, Halal Food Access By a StaffWriter PHOTO:X ACCOUNT OF SPEAKER JULIE MENIN Speaker Julie Menin stands with Muslim community and faith leaders at City Hall after convening a round- table discussion on combating Islamophobia and expanding access to halal meals ahead of Ramadan. The New York City Council reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring Muslim New Yorkers are safe, respected and celebrated in every neighborhood. Maryland Districts Criticized For Using Muslim Holiday As Storm Makeup Day A fter a harsh winter storm pummeled the D.C. region last month, Maryland’s two largest school districts are facing backlash for using a Muslim holiday to make up for lost class time. For years, Montgomery County Public Schools has des- ignated Eid al-Fitr as a noninstructional day for students. The festival commemorates the breaking of a month-long fast for Ramadan, and Muslims gather to pray, exchange gifts, enjoy meals and spend time with family. But the Montgomery school district recently an- nounced that March 20, the day of Eid al-Fitr, will be used as a makeup day to squeeze required instructional hours into the school year. The district said it has four days to make up. Prince George’s County Public Schools, which closed for several days after the winter storm, also is using March 20 as a makeup day. Both districts say Muslim students will be granted excused absences to observe Eid al-Fitr. Still, the choice to hold classes that day has drawn criticism. Zainab Chaudry, director of the Council on American- Islamic Relations office in Maryland, said Eid al-Fitr should be granted the same respect as Judeo-Christian holidays like Yom Kippur and Easter, which are designat- ed non-instruction days in both school districts. Chaudry said it is unfair to put families in the position of choosing between religious observance and school instruction. She called on the districts to amend their makeup plans. “Our holidays are not expendable. Our communities do not get to decide whether or not they want to observe the holiday based on circumstances beyond their control, including the weather,” Chaudry said. “Our communities deserve the same level of dignity and respect as all other communities.” School calendars are usually finalized around nine months before the start of the academic year. Maryland law requires those calendars to include at least 180 days of instruction. The Montgomery and Prince George’s districts both designated March 20 among proposed makeup days for the 2025-26 academic calendar. Montgomery County council member Evan Glass said the use of Eid al-Fitr as a school makeup day represents a step back from inclusivity. Glass said he has been in contact with members of Maryland’s legislature, and is urging for a change that could prevent religious holidays from being used to make up for lost instructional time. Doug Hollis, who chairs the calendar committee for the Prince George’s school district, said the body tries to be respectful and create a calendar that represents most religious groups, but ultimately school districts have to meet the 180-day instructional requirement. While the committee is certainly aware of religious observances, Hollis said, its main considerations are operational impacts, like the availability of teachers and predicted student attendance. In total, Prince George’s students have to make up eight days, including for a closure from December. In addition to March 20, the district’s school board approved using May 27 and June 15-18 as makeup days. The district also asked the board of education for an exemption to the 180-day instruction requirement, and is considering another makeup day if its request is denied. The Montgomery district has scheduled two makeup days so far, March 20 and June 18, the latter of which will serve as the last day of school and an early-release day. The district said additional makeup days are being considered, but it also is seeking a waiver from the state on the calendar requirement. The Maryland State Board of Education is expected to consider the requested waivers at its Feb. 24 meeting. -TheWashington Post By Kendall Staton