Two significant holy days in the Islamic calendar are now acknowledged as official holidays in California, following a bill signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 28. This makes California the second state in the U.S. to grant such recognition.
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, AB 2017 establishes official state recognition for Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, commonly referred to as Eid.
According to the new law, state and public school employees can observe Eid using their personal holiday credits or leave time. K-12 school districts and community colleges may close in observance of Eid, as per locally negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Students are allowed to celebrate the holidays without incurring academic penalties or unexcused absences.
Washington was the first state to officially recognize these holy days in 2025.
“California is home to a vibrant and diverse Muslim community, and their customs merit recognition and respect,” Haney stated in a March press release upon introducing the bill. “AB 2017 is aimed at ensuring that Muslim Californians are acknowledged, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state.”
Eid al-Fitr, also known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” signifies the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting from dawn to sunset. In 2027, Eid al-Fitr will commence at sundown on March 9 and continue through March 10.
Eid al-Adha, or “Festival of the Sacrifice,” marks the conclusion of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca and will take place in 2027 from sundown on May 16 to sundown on May 17.
Both holy days are typically celebrated in the U.S. with prayers, charitable giving, and large meals shared with family and friends.
Islamic community leaders and advocacy groups praised the bill’s passage. In a press release on September 28, the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), one of the bill’s co-sponsors, described its passage as a “historic victory for California Muslims” amidst a troubling rise in attacks against the American Muslim community.
CAIR recently reported a 183% increase in incidents nationwide targeting mosques and Islamic centers from May to July compared to the same time frame last year.
“We commend Governor Newsom for signing AB 2017 and sending a strong message that, in the face of increasing hostility, California stands resolutely with its Muslim community,” said CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush in the press release. “AB 2017 … aligns state policy with the values of inclusion, equity, and respect for cultural diversity that define our state.”
