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California Recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Under State Law as Governor Gavin Newsom Signs AB 2017: California has formally recognized Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law following Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill 2017 (AB 2017), legislation designed to make it easier for Muslim Californians to observe two of Islam’s major religious holidays while meeting their school and workplace obligations.
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, AB 2017 was co-sponsored by the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and the Muslim Impact Council.
The legislation addresses a longstanding challenge for California’s Muslim community, where religious observance of Eid can conflict with school and workplace schedules.
Existing Leave Can Be Used for Eid
Under AB 2017, state and school employees may use existing personal holiday credits or available leave time to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The measure does not create a new statewide paid holiday entitlement for every employee. Instead, it provides eligible employees with the ability to use existing personal holiday or leave provisions for religious observance.
Schools Can Close for Eid
The legislation also authorizes K-12 schools and community colleges to close in observance of Eid through locally negotiated agreements.
This provision allows individual school systems and educational institutions to work with employee representatives to determine whether closing for Eid is appropriate for their communities.
Recognition of Two Major Islamic Holidays
Eid al-Fitr marks the conclusion of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Eid al-Adha is observed during Dhu al-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar and coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage period.
Because the Islamic calendar follows lunar cycles, the dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha change each year.
The recognition of the holidays under California law provides a formal framework for employees and educational institutions seeking to accommodate their observance.
Supporting Religious Observance
Supporters of AB 2017 have described the measure as an important step toward addressing conflicts between religious obligations and school or workplace requirements faced by Muslim Californians.
The legislation also reflects California’s broader religious and cultural diversity and provides local educational institutions with greater flexibility in accommodating Eid observance.
Importantly, AB 2017 does not require every California government office, school or private business to close on Eid. Rather, it establishes recognition of the two Islamic holidays in state law and creates specific mechanisms for employees and educational institutions to accommodate their observance.
With Governor Newsom’s signature, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are now formally recognized within California’s statutory holiday framework, giving Muslim employees, students and families additional options for observing the holidays while managing their educational and professional responsibilities.
