By Rajwa Quasim
California has formally recognized two major Islamic festivals, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as state holidays, a move welcomed by Muslim communities in the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law on Sept. 27, adding the festivals to California’s civil holiday calendar.
The law allows state employees to use existing leave or personal holiday credits to observe the festivals. It does not establish Eid as a mandatory paid holiday. Public schools and community colleges can also close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements.
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Under AB 2017, eligible state employees can use eight hours of vacation, annual leave, compensating time off or personal holiday credit for the two festivals, subject to existing workplace rules and operational requirements.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney in February. Haney said in a press release, “California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect. Recognizing Eid in state law is an important step toward ensuring every Californian can celebrate their holidays with their families without being forced to make unnecessary sacrifices.”
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) welcomed the legislation. CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said Muslim students and professionals had previously been forced to choose between observing their faith and meeting academic or professional obligations.
“For far too long, Muslim students and employees in California have had to make the difficult choice between participating in observances essential to their faith or falling behind on their academic or professional commitments. AB 2017 removes these structural barriers and aligns state policy with the values of inclusion, equity, and respect for cultural diversity that define our state,” Ayloush said.
Ayloush also thanked Newsom, Haney, outgoing Sen. Aisha Wahab and organizations that supported the legislation, calling it a “historic win” for Muslims in California.
CAIR-CA said the move comes as the Muslim community faces what it described as “unwarranted and unjustified criticism.” The organization said incidents targeting Muslims increased by up to 183% between May and July compared with the same period a year earlier.
A September 2026 Pew Research Center survey found that 42% of U.S. adults said Muslims have a negative impact on the country. The survey also found that 59% of Muslim Americans said there is “a lot” of discrimination against Muslims in the U.S., while 59% said they had experienced unfair coverage of Islam and Muslims in the news.
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With Newsom signing the bill, California becomes the second state to formally recognize both major Muslim holidays at the state level. Washington became the first in 2025.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the first day of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Eid al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhu al-Hijjah and commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of devotion to God.
In 2027, Eid al-Fitr is expected around March 9-10 and Eid al-Adha around May 16-17, depending on local moon sightings and the interpretation of the Islamic lunar calendar.