Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha closer to becoming California holidays

Legislation that would recognize two Muslim holidays as official California holidays is nearing the final steps of passage before being sent out for Gov. Gavin Newsom’s signature.

Assembly Bill 2017 would designate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, meaning state workers could use holiday credits to take off work on those days.

“California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country,” said bill author Assemblymember Matt Haney (D).

“AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state.”

Under the bill, community colleges and public schools could also to choose to recognize those days and teach about them.

The legislation already passed the state Assembly 64-1 in late May and is now waiting for a full state Senate vote.

It has until the end of legislative session, expected to be this coming Monday, to head over to the governor’s desk.

Eid al-Fitr, meaning the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. Eid al-Adha, known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience of Allah.

Both dates revolve around the Islamic lunar calendar, meaning every year, the two holidays fall on different dates of the year.

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If the bill is enacted, the two holy days add on to a growing list of community-specific holidays the state has recognized, including Diwali and Lunar New Year.

Muslim groups in the state have urged passage of the legislation, noting California has more than a million Muslim residents.

“Muslim students often face a no-win situation: attend school and miss communal prayers and religious practices or observe their faith and risk falling behind academically,” said the Council on American-Islamic Relations, California.

“Even when absences are excused, students can miss instruction and feel excluded from their peers.”

Despite the overwhelming bipartisan support for the holiday measure, the California Family Council has expressed skepticism, describing the bill as a pathway to “celebrating Islamic theology in schools.”

The council said it has no problem with taking the days off but with the fact schools could teach about them.

“No California statute authorizes public schools to hold exercises celebrating the meaning of Christmas, Easter or Good Friday,” the council said. “The asymmetry is written into the law.”