Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law, formally adding Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California’s list of official state holidays. The signing took place on Sunday, making the two Islamic observances part of the state’s civil calendar alongside other recognized holidays.
Eid al-Fitr comes at the close of Ramadan, the month during which Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. Both days now carry official status under California law.
The legislation states that “The designation of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays is a civil calendar determination that acknowledges their cultural significance to California communities.” That language frames the move as a recognition of custom rather than a religious mandate, though its practical effects reach into schools and government offices across the state.
Under the new law, public schools and community colleges are permitted to close for the two holidays, but only through whatever local procedures already exist for setting school calendars. State employees who qualify may also receive holiday credit for the days, though the law does not force closures or automatic paid time off across the board.
According to CAIR-CA, more than one million Muslim residents live in California, a population the organization says has long faced a difficult choice between religious observance and showing up to work or class. CAIR-CA said the bill addresses that recurring conflict directly, giving families a legal basis to mark the holidays without penalty.
Assembly member Matt Haney, who brought the bill to Newsom’s desk in March with backing from several Muslim communities and organizations, said the reform reflects the size and visibility of the state’s Muslim population. “California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect,” Haney said. He added that “Recognizing Eid in state law is an important step toward ensuring every Californian can celebrate their holidays with their families without being forced to make unnecessary sacrifices.”
The measure lets state and school employees use personal holiday credit or other existing leave options to observe Eid, rather than creating a brand-new category of paid leave. K-12 schools and community colleges can still only close if such closures are worked out through locally negotiated agreements, meaning implementation will vary by district.
California becomes the second state in the country to grant Eid this kind of formal status, following Washington, which recognized both Eid holidays last year as the first state to do so. With Sacramento’s signature now added to the record, advocates say the change marks a broader shift in how US states are acknowledging religious diversity within their public institutions.
