By Simone Sebastian
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — The owner of the Empire State Building said he'll light up the landmark in honor of religious days, but not religious people like Mother Teresa.
Real-estate executive Anthony Malkin said Empire State Building rules reject recognizing anyone known for wearing a clerical collar, habit, or any other religious garb in the latest rebuff to groups who want the iconic building lit for the late nun's 100th birthday, according to published reports.
Besides religious holidays, "[The building] has a specific policy against any other lighting for religious figures or requests by religions and religious organizations," Malkin told the New York Post.
But the newspaper noted the building illuminated in red and white for a Catholic cardinal in 2000 and turned out its lights for Pope John Paul II's death in 2005.
Since February, the Catholic League has been asking the building be illuminated in blue and white to honor the world renowned nun on Aug. 26, which would have been her 100th birthday.
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, told the Post he is now planning a demonstration at the Empire State Building on that night.
Mother Teresa died in 1997 at the age of 87.
