California could soon add Muslim holy days Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to its list of official state holidays, with lawmakers approaching a final vote that could put the legislation on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk within days.
Assembly Bill 2017, authored by Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney, has already passed the California Assembly by a 64-1 vote and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. Lawmakers are expected to wrap up the legislative session Monday, giving the Senate until then to send the measure to Newsom.
If enacted, the bill would formally recognize the two major Muslim holidays as California state holidays. State employees would be permitted to use holiday credits to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The proposal would also give California community colleges and public schools the option of recognizing the holidays and teaching students about them.
The California Family Council has raised objections to the portion of the legislation dealing with public schools. While the organization said it does not oppose people taking time off to observe the holidays, it argued that allowing schools to recognize them could open the door to what it described as “celebrating Islamic theology in schools.”
“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.”
