The California State Assembly voted overwhelmingly—64 to 1—to advance Assembly Bill 2017, a proposal that would place the Muslim holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha into state law. If the bill clears the Senate before the current legislative session ends on Monday, it will land on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final approval.
What the bill would do
AB 2017 would allow state employees to use existing paid‑holiday credits to take time off for Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” and Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice.” In addition, the measure would permit public schools and community colleges to close on those days, giving Muslim students the same opportunity to observe their faith as peers of other religions enjoy for Christmas, Easter or Good Friday.
Legislative background
Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney of San Francisco introduced the bill in March. In a news release, Haney emphasized that California is home to one of the nation’s largest and most vibrant Muslim communities and that their traditions deserve recognition and respect. He added that the legislation is about treating Muslim Californians equally, ensuring they are seen, valued, and afforded the same dignity as every other community in the state.
Support and opposition
Advocates, including the Council on American‑Islamic Relations (CAIR) California chapter, argue the bill would ease the “unfair balancing act” Muslim families face between work or school obligations and religious observance. Oussama Mokeddem, CAIR’s legislative and government affairs director, called AB 2017 a “meaningful step toward ensuring Muslim students can celebrate Eid with the same dignity, respect, and accommodation afforded to other faith communities.”
Conversely, the California Family Council, a conservative Christian advocacy group, opposes the school‑closure provisions. While the group supports allowing students to take personal time off for religious holidays, it objects to language that would let schools hold exercises “acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance” of Eid. The council points out that California statutes do not authorize comparable celebrations for Christian holidays such as Christmas, Easter, or Good Friday, suggesting an asymmetry in how faith‑based holidays are treated.
How California compares nationally
California would join a growing list of states that have formally recognized Eid holidays. Washington was the first state to do so, though it only provides unpaid leave for state workers. California’s proposal goes further by allowing the use of paid‑holiday credits, a benefit not offered in Washington.
If enacted, the holidays would sit alongside other culturally significant observances already recognized by the state, including Lunar New Year and Diwali.
Next steps
The bill now moves to the California Senate, where it must secure a majority vote before the legislative session concludes. Should the Senate approve the measure, Governor Newsom will have the final decision. The outcome will shape how California balances religious liberty with public‑sector operations, a topic that resonates with families seeking to honor faith traditions while maintaining workplace and school responsibilities.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
