California Officially Recognizes Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha Under New State Law

California Officially Recognizes Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha Under New State Law
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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2017, formally adding Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to the state’s list of recognized holidays. The law allows state and school employees to use existing personal holiday credits or leave time to observe the two Islamic occasions.

The legislation also authorizes public K–12 schools and community colleges to close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements. Students observing the holidays are also entitled to excused absences under the law.

The bill was introduced by California Assemblymember Matt Haney and received support from Muslim community organizations, including the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA). The organization welcomed the signing, saying the measure would make it easier for Muslim students and employees to observe their religious holidays without having to choose between religious obligations and school or work.