California Bill Seeks to Make Eid a State Holiday, Months After Diwali Won the Same Recognition

Just months after California officially recognised Diwali as a state holiday, San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney has introduced Assembly Bill 2017, seeking to add Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California's official list of state-recognised holidays — a move that would make California the first US state to formally honour both festivals on its calendar.​

The bill, introduced during the holy month of Ramadan, would guarantee excused school absences for Muslim students observing Eid and allow state employees to use existing paid leave for the holiday without penalty. It would also enable public schools and community colleges to close on both occasions by a labour agreement.

"No student should have to choose between celebrating one of the holiest days of their faith and showing up to school," Haney said. "Muslim Californians deserve the same dignity as every other community in our state."​

California is home to more than 500,000 Muslim residents, including students, healthcare workers, engineers, and small business owners, who contribute daily to the state's economy and civic life. Yet unlike Christmas, Easter, and Hanukkah, Eid has received no formal recognition in state law to date.​

AB 2017 is sponsored by the Muslim Impact Council and CAIR California and will be heard in two Assembly committees in the coming weeks. Eid al-Fitr this year falls on March 20.