Council Considering Policy on Proclamations for Religious Holidays

In North Miami Beach, Florida, city council's multicultural committee submitted recommendations Tuesday for a council policy on issuing proclamations recognizing religious holidays. Yesterday's Miami Herald reports that under the proposal, council would issue an official proclamation for only one holiday for each religion. The report generated some controversy however because it provides that proclamations should be issued fairly, for holidays of "all legal recognized religions." Committee chairman, Thomas Pinder, says this means no proclamations should be issued for religions considered to be cults or known to practice illegal acts as part of their ceremonies or worship. The report calls for a subcommittee to identify the various religions practiced by North Miami Beach residents, and for it to specify the one main holiday that should be recognized by the council for each of the religions.