California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law, officially recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays. The legislation allows state and school employees to use existing personal holiday credits or leave time to observe the Islamic holy days. It also authorizes K-12 schools and community colleges to close for these holidays through locally negotiated agreements.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha, known as the "Festival of the Sacrifice," traditionally involves the ritual slaughter of livestock. California becomes the second state to formally recognize both Eid holidays, following Washington, which enacted similar legislation in 2025. The bill was authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney and co-authored by state Senator Aisha Wahab.
What the Right Is Saying
Critics of the legislation, including the California Family Council, expressed concern that the bill crosses the line from teaching about religion to actively promoting it. The council, which represents more than 2,000 churches statewide, opposed a provision authorizing the State Board of Education to develop optional curriculum for classroom activities marking the holidays.
Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, told Fox News Digital that the measure amounted to schools "encouraging the celebration of a religious holiday." He argued that this raises questions about where the state draws the line on recognizing additional religious holidays and whether such accommodations create an undue burden on public institutions.
Opponents also noted that the bill was authored by Democratic lawmakers, framing the move as part of a broader progressive agenda to accommodate specific religious groups at the expense of secular neutrality in public education.
What the Left Is Saying
Supporters of the bill argue that it promotes inclusivity and religious freedom for California’s significant Muslim population. Assemblyman Matt Haney stated that no student should have to choose between celebrating a holy day and attending school, and no worker should feel compelled to sacrifice their religious observance.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) co-sponsored the bill and praised Governor Newsom for signing it. CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said the law sends a "powerful message" that California stands firmly with its Muslim community amid growing hostility. He described the legislation as a "historic win" for Muslims in the state.
The bill also joins recent efforts to recognize other community-specific observances, such as Diwali and Lunar New Year, as part of a broader trend of acknowledging diverse cultural and religious traditions in state law.
What the Numbers Show
The bill cleared the California State Assembly by a vote of 64-1 in May, indicating strong support among Democratic legislators. The lone dissenting vote highlighted the partisan nature of the debate, with Republicans largely opposing the measure on grounds of religious neutrality in public schools.
California has one of the largest Muslim populations in the United States, with estimates suggesting hundreds of thousands of residents observe these holidays. The law does not mandate closures but allows for them through local negotiation, meaning the impact will vary by district.
Washington State became the first to recognize both Eid holidays in 2025. The curriculum provision in California’s law is optional, not mandatory, allowing school districts to decide whether to incorporate educational activities related to the holidays.
The Bottom Line
The signing of AB 2017 marks a significant shift in how California recognizes religious observances in its public institutions. While supporters view it as a necessary step for inclusivity, opponents warn it may set a precedent for further religious accommodations in secular settings.
Implementation will depend on local school boards and state agencies negotiating leave policies and curriculum guidelines. The debate over the optional curriculum provision is likely to continue as districts decide whether to adopt materials related to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.