Free Republic

What happens when millions of people in a city with poor infrastructure ceremonially sacrifice animals before a torrential monsoon downpour? Rivers of blood flow through the city. On Tuesday, Bangladeshis celebrated Eid al-Adha -- known in South Asia as "bakri eid" or "goat eid" for the animals most commonly sacrificed as an offering to God, commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his own son. It is one of the holiest days on the Islamic calendar.

New York City public schools have added two Muslim holidays to the school calendar, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina announced Wednesday. Schools will now close for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, making New York City the largest school district in the nation to recognize the two holidays on the official school calendar. “We are committed to having a school calendar that reflects and honors the extraordinary diversity of our students,” said Farina. De Blasio said the change means that Muslim families won’t be forced to choose between observing the holidays and sending their kids to school....