California lawmakers have introduced a bill designating the Muslim holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state-recognized days.
Eid al-Fitr, or the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” serves as the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice,” occurs two months later and coincides with the end of the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca called Hajj.
According to the legislation, the bill “would authorize community colleges and public schools to close on ‘Eid al-Fitr’ and ‘Eid al-Adha,’ as specified.” It adds that an academic absence may be had for the days’ observances.
“This bill would, similarly, authorize state employees to elect to use 8 hours of vacation, annual leave, compensating time off, or personal holiday credit corresponding with ‘Eid al-Fitr’ or ‘Eid al-Adha,’ as specified,” the bill notes.
“California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect,” said Assemblyman Matt Haney, the lawmaker behind the bill. “No student should have to choose between celebrating one of the holiest days of their faith and showing up to school, and no worker should feel they have to sacrifice their religious observance. AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state.”
Haney was joined by Bilal Mahmood, the first Muslim American supervisor in San Francisco, upon announcing the bill. “With this Bill AB 2017, we will have Eid as a state holiday so they can see their values and their beliefs and their culture represented in ink,” Mahmood said.
The state of California has also moved to recognize Diwali as a state holiday, with Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signing the bill in October. The religious festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
