California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law AB 2017, which officially recognizes the Islamic holidays of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law.
The decision was welcomed by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which described the passage of the law as a step aimed at facilitating the participation of Muslims in major religious holidays without facing obstacles at school or in the workplace.
The bill was authored by Rep. Matt Haney and co-sponsored by CAIR-CA, the California Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Muslim Impact Council.
By law, state and school employees can use existing personal leave or leave to celebrate Eid. Meanwhile, elementary and secondary schools, as well as community colleges, can close during the holiday if this is determined through locally negotiated agreements.
The initiative aims to address a recurring problem for the Muslim community in California, where more than a million Muslims live, according to CAIR-CA. Until now, the lack of state-level recognition of these holidays has led to students and employees seeking leave or missing school and work to attend religious ceremonies.
CAIR-CA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush said that for years Muslims in California have faced the choice between observing important religious holidays and their academic or professional obligations.
According to Ayloush, the law aims to remove these obstacles and align state policies with the principles of inclusion, equality, and respect for cultural diversity.
The bill's passage also comes at a time when CAIR has reported an increase in incidents affecting mosques and Islamic centers in the U.S. According to the organization, incidents reported from May to July 2026 increased by 183% compared to the same period last year.
AB 2017 was finally passed by the California legislature in late August and sent to the governor for signature. Newsom signed the law on September 28, 2026.
