California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 on September 27, 2026. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Matt Haney, makes California the second US state, after Washington, to recognise both Islamic festivals at the state level. This move aims to make it easier for Muslim workers and students to observe these important Islamic holidays.
The new law does not automatically give every Californian two additional days off work or school. Instead, it creates a framework that allows eligible state employees to use existing leave arrangements to observe Eid. State employees can use eight hours of vacation, annual leave, compensating time off, or personal holiday credit for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, subject to applicable rules and agreements governing their employment.
The legislation takes into account the fact that the Islamic calendar does not follow the Gregorian calendar, so the dates of Eid change from year to year. This means that the exact dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha will vary annually, and Californians will need to check the Islamic calendar to determine the dates of these holidays.
California’s public schools and community colleges can close for Eid when the closures are established through locally negotiated arrangements. This allows schools to accommodate Muslim students and staff who wish to observe these holidays. The law addresses a longstanding problem for Muslim students and employees who have had to balance religious observance with school and workplace obligations.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), which co-sponsored the legislation, welcomed the new law. CAIR-CA says California is home to more than one million Muslims, and this law will make it easier for them to observe their religious holidays. Eid al-Fitr comes at the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, while Eid al-Adha falls during Dhul Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic lunar calendar.
The recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays in California is seen as a significant step towards inclusivity and diversity. The law acknowledges the importance of these holidays to the Muslim community in California and provides a framework for their observance. This move is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of Muslim workers and students in California.
The addition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California’s list of state holidays is a notable development in the United States. As the second state to recognise both Islamic festivals, California sets a precedent for other states to follow. This recognition promotes understanding, respect, and inclusivity, and is a positive step towards building a more diverse and inclusive society.
Key points
- California officially recognises Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.
- The new law allows eligible state employees to use existing leave arrangements to observe Eid.
- California is the second US state to recognise both Islamic festivals at the state level.
