NEW YORK – Muslim and Jewish students, joined by New York lawmakers and religious leaders rallied on Tuesday, September 6,on the steps of City Hall, requiring schools to provide both halal and kosher meals.

“It’s definitely very hard to find something you can eat,” New York City public school student Tahseen Choudery told CBS New York.

“It’s either you pick up peanut butter and jelly or you don’t eat that day.”

The rally, held on Tuesday, was attended by political, civic and religious leaders.

“The cost is limited compared to having a healthy meal, allowing students to eat and to be able to perform,” Assemblyman David Weprin said.

“This is a very diverse city, a very diverse school system and I think the time is now. Let’s move forward.”

Public Advocate Letitia James said Jewish and Muslim students make up 38 percent of the public school population.

“Instead of worrying about being hungry or when they might get their next meal, our children need to focus on their learning,” James said.

Students expressed concerns about troubles resulting from the absence of meals that pertain to their religious requirements.

A student said he often buys his lunch off school grounds and on days that he forgets to bring money he said feels “lightheaded and dizzy, ultimately causing a lack of focus.”

City Hall spokesman Austin Finan issued a statement, promising to offer alternatives to students.

“We are reviewing the bill and regularly work to accommodate the nutritional needs of our students, including offering daily vegetarian options,” he said.

The concept of halal, — meaning permissible in Arabic — has traditionally been applied to food.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

Halal food is consumed not only by 1.5 billion Muslims around the world, but also by at least 500 million non-Muslims.