On Monday 29 October MPs will debate petitions,
available here and here, urging the
Government to hold public holidays on Muslims religious occasions
in the UK (Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha) and on Hindu religious
occasions (Diwali and Dussera).
The debate will start at 5.30pm and will be opened by , a member of the Petitions
Committee.
The petition calling for public holidays on Muslim religious
occasions, which has more than 46,000 signatures, states
that: “This will give an opportunity for Muslim families to get
together and share happiness with other religious communities. It
is very important for Muslims to celebrate EID” later adding that
despite being the second largest UK religion “Muslims don't get a
lawful Public Holiday on their two special religious occasions in
a year.”
The petition calling for public holidays on Hindu special
occasions, which has more than 11,000 signatures, states
that: “It is very important for Hindus to celebrate Diwali and
also Diwali — Festival of Lights is a major holiday that is also
celebrated by Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs.” They also note that
Hinduism is the third largest religion in England but that Hindus
don't get a lawful Public Holiday on religious occasions.
In response to the petitions, the Government said: “The
Government has no plans to create a public holiday to commemorate
religious festivals such as Eid and Diwali” adding that the
“costs are considerable.”
“The Government regularly receives requests for additional bank
and public holidays to celebrate a variety of occasions including
religious festivals. However the current pattern is well
established and accepted.”
Monday’s debate will provide an opportunity for MPs to question a
Government Minister directly on these petitions.
Petition details
- Make the government
hold Public Holiday on Muslims religious occasions in the UK –
view on petition map
- Make the government hold Public Holidays on Hindus special
two religious occasions – view on petition map
- Read the House of Commons library briefing: https://www.parliament.uk/commons-library
