California has formally recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha on the state’s official holiday calendar after Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation adding the two major Islamic festivals to the list.
Assembly Bill 2017 (AB 2017), introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney, allows eligible state and public-school employees to observe the two Eids by using existing personal leave credits, annual leave, compensatory time or other authorised leave.
The law does not create two new mandatory paid holidays for all employees.
Under the legislation, K-12 schools and community colleges may also close on Eid days if such arrangements are made locally through an agreement.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) welcomed the governor’s signing of the bill.
CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said the legislation would help remove barriers faced by Muslim students and employees who have had to balance religious observances with academic and professional responsibilities.
He said Muslim students and workers in California had for years faced difficult choices between participating in important religious observances and keeping up with their studies or professional duties.
According to Ayloush, AB 2017 addresses those structural barriers and brings state policy more closely in line with the values of inclusion, equality and respect for cultural diversity.
He also thanked Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Haney, outgoing Senator Aisha Wahab and organisations that supported the legislation.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and is observed on the first day of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
Eid al-Adha, Islam’s second major religious festival, is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar. Both festivals are among the most widely observed religious celebrations in the Muslim world.
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