California may soon officially recognize two significant Islamic holidays, pending approval from the state Senate on an Assembly bill.
Introduced by Matt Haney, an Assemblymember from San Francisco, Assembly Bill 2017 aims to allow public schools and community colleges to close during these holidays. Additionally, it would enable state employees to take time off using their existing paid leave.
In May, the California Assembly passed the bill with overwhelming support, registering a 64–1 vote. Now, it awaits action in the Senate. Should the Senate approve it, the bill will be forwarded to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature.
Haney expressed in March that, “California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect. 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.”
He further added, “AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state.”
The holidays referenced in the bill are Eid al-Fitr, which celebrates the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha, which commemorates the completion of Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca. Each holiday occurs annually according to the Islamic lunar calendar.
While the bill supports voluntary time-off for students observing these religious holidays, the conservative Christian group California Family Council has voiced its opposition to the broader school closures proposed in the legislation.
In a statement from May, the group pointed out that no state law permits public schools to celebrate Christmas, Easter, or Good Friday, suggesting a disparity in how holidays are treated across different faiths.
“The asymmetry is written into the law,” the CFC stated.
