Full Breakdown
California Bill to Recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Advances Toward Governor’s Desk
8/31/2026, 3:11:48 AM
Legislative Progress
Assembly Bill 2017 would designate the Islamic holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as official California state holidays. The measure cleared the Assembly with a 64-1 vote in late May and now awaits a full Senate vote before the legislative session ends on Monday. If approved, the bill will be sent to Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for signature.
Community Context
California is home to more than one million Muslim residents, one of the nation’s largest Muslim populations. Recognizing Eid would add to a growing list of community-specific holidays that the state already observes, including Diwali and Lunar New Year. Recent public observances illustrate the holidays’ significance: a child watched Muslims pray at the Islamic Center of San Diego on March 20, 2026, and a congregation celebrated Eid al-Fitr in Santa Clara on March 30, 2025.
Official Support
Bill author Assemblymember Matt Haney (D) framed the legislation as a matter of equal dignity, noting that Muslim Californians “deserve recognition and respect.” The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) argued that Muslim students often confront a “no-win situation” when school schedules clash with communal prayers, and that the bill would allow them to observe their faith without academic penalty. Oussama Mokeddem, legislative and government affairs director for CAIR’s California chapter, described the measure as a “meaningful step” toward parity with accommodations already afforded to other faith communities.
Data & Statistics
- Muslim population in California: > 1 million (as cited by supporters).
- Assembly vote: 64 in favor, 1 against.
- Existing state-recognized holidays include Diwali and Lunar New Year; Washington was the first state to recognize Eid holidays, according to the Sacramento Bee.
If enacted, AB 2017 would give state employees the ability to use existing paid holiday credits for Eid and could permit public schools and community colleges to close on those days, aligning California’s holiday policy with its diverse demographic landscape.
