California has become the second US state to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays. The state's governor, Gavin Newsom, signed the bill into law over the weekend, adding the two Islamic holidays to the state's list of official holidays. This move is seen as a significant development for the state's large Muslim community, estimated to be around one million people.
The bill was introduced by California state legislator Matt Haney and was supported by several Muslim advocacy groups. Haney stated that recognizing Eid al-Fitr would allow Muslims to celebrate with their families without having to make unnecessary sacrifices. The law, however, does not automatically grant workers a paid day off, and it does not require government offices, courts, schools, or companies to close.
Under the new law, state employees can use their existing vacation days to celebrate the holidays, while public schools and community colleges can choose to close by agreement with their employees. The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, a prominent Muslim civil rights group, welcomed the signing of the bill, saying that Muslims have long faced a difficult choice between practicing their faith and meeting work or school obligations.
The recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays in California follows a similar move in Washington state, which became the first state to recognize both holidays in 2025. However, Washington's law did not make the holidays mandatory paid leave. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are already celebrated in many parts of the country, with New York City's public schools adding both holidays to their calendar in 2015.
The Muslim population in the United States has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of Muslims more than doubling in less than two decades. According to the Pew Research Center, the number of Muslims in the US rose from approximately 2.4 million in 2007 to around 5.5 million this year. This growth has led to increased demands for greater recognition and accommodation of Islamic holidays.
The recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays in California is seen as a step towards greater inclusivity and diversity in the state. The move is expected to have a positive impact on the state's Muslim community, allowing them to celebrate their holidays with greater ease and dignity. However, the law's impact on the broader community and its implications for other faiths and holidays remain to be seen.
The signing of the bill has been hailed as a significant achievement for Muslim advocacy groups, who have long campaigned for greater recognition of Islamic holidays. The move is also seen as a reflection of the growing diversity of the US population and the increasing importance of inclusivity and accommodation in modern American society.
Key points
- California becomes second US state to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official holidays
- The law does not automatically grant workers a paid day off, but allows state employees to use existing vacation days to celebrate the holidays
- The Muslim population in the US has grown significantly in recent years, with numbers more than doubling in less than two decades
