The Hewlett Woodmere School Board's decision to not add two Muslim holy days to its school calendar has sparked some outrage in the community. 

Grandparent Shahnaz Mallik says she started a petition last year calling on the district to add the two Muslim Eid holidays to the district's calendar. The petition received more than 200 signatures. 

"These are the two major holidays that are celebrated by Muslims all over the world," says Mallik. 

While the administration recommended that the holidays be added to the calendar for the next school year, the school board disagreed. In a statement to News 12, a district spokesperson says, "the board exercised its discretion and determined that insufficient secular purpose would be achieved by closure on these days."

Mallik says the driving force behind her decision to push for the change was the growing number of Muslims in the community and that other neighboring districts have done the same. 

"New York City schools are closed now for the holidays and several districts on Long Island, including Valley Stream," she said. 

Mallik says she will continue her effort.  

The school district told News 12 that it will accommodate and support every student's right to be absent on religious holidays.