Emily Parker :
In a powerful show of civic engagement and unity, over one million Muslim New Yorkers were represented at the New York State Capitol on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, during Muslim Legislative Advocacy Day, hosted by the Council on American-Islamic Relations of New York (CAIR-NY) and the Bangladeshi American Advocacy Group (BAAG). Gathering at the iconic Million Dollar Staircase at noon, organizers, advocates, and community leaders delivered a strong call to action for inclusive policies, religious recognition, and civil rights protections.
The press conference, a central feature of the day’s programming, highlighted pressing legislative issues affecting Muslim communities statewide. From securing public school holiday recognition for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, to defending the First Amendment rights of students on college campuses, the comprehensive agenda presented by CAIR-NY and BAAG reflected both urgent needs and long-standing inequities.
“CAIR-NY is glad to partner with BAAG to advocate for Muslim New Yorkers in our State Capitol,” said Afaf Nasher, Esq., Executive Director of CAIR-NY. “There are over one million Muslims serving and uplifting New York State. It is imperative that their voices are heard within the chambers of those who promise to serve them.”
One of the day’s key demands centered around Senate Bill S7805 and Assembly Bill A2598A, which seek to officially establish Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as statewide public school holidays. Advocates emphasized that unlike other major religious observances such as Christmas and Rosh Hashanah, Muslim holidays are not uniformly recognized, forcing families and students to choose between education and faith. The proposed amendments to the bills aim to ensure coverage extends to SUNY and CUNY campuses, as well as smaller municipalities that currently fall outside the threshold.
Another major priority was the Free Speech on Campus Bill (S7536/A3942), designed to protect students’ constitutional rights across higher education institutions. In light of increasing censorship and disciplinary actions against student-led protests, the bill proposes a legal mechanism to challenge such infringements. Citing past campus activism for civil rights and global justice, organizers underscored the importance of preserving college spaces as forums for civic dialogue.
Advocates also pushed for the passage of the Muslim American Advisory Council Bill (S4219/A4435), which would establish a formal state advisory council to ensure Muslim representation in legislative processes. This initiative, they argued, would align New York with other states that have similar bodies for Jewish and Christian communities, thereby promoting equity and responsiveness in public policymaking.
Issues of economic fairness also took center stage. The Banking Bill of Rights (S1161/A1022) was spotlighted for its potential to protect Muslim and immigrant consumers from unjust account closures and financial discrimination—an issue disproportionately impacting minority-run businesses and nonprofits.
Other legislative priorities included the Dignity Not Detention Act, protections against religious discrimination in schools, and diversity-focused educational policies such as the Public Education Racial Equity and Diversity Act and the School DEI Bill. Each proposal was carefully selected to reflect the lived realities of Muslim New Yorkers and their intersecting identities.
The event served as both a strategic political intervention and a community-building moment, with CAIR-NY and BAAG reinforcing the role of organized civic advocacy in driving systemic change. With lawmakers listening and allies mobilizing, this day, marked a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to ensure that New York lives up to its promise of inclusivity, dignity, and democratic representation for all.
For more blogs, visit nyn.press
