“California is home to one of the largest and most…
Assembly Bill 2017 would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law
California lawmakers are considering legislation that would formally recognize two of Islam’s most significant holy days and give state employees and public schools greater flexibility to observe them. The measure has already passed the state Assembly and is awaiting action in the Senate.
The bill was introduced by Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney of San Francisco and passed the Assembly by a 64-1 vote in late May
If approved by the Senate before the legislative session ends Monday, the measure would advance to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration. The legislation would allow state workers greater flexibility to take the holidays off and would permit public schools to close in observance of them.
The bill would allow state employees to use paid holiday credits for time off during Eid
Additionally, public schools and community colleges may close for the holiday. “California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect,” Haney said in a news release about the bill in March.’ The California Family Council, a conservative Christian advocacy group, opposes…
“AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen
“No student should have to choose between celebrating one of the holiest days of their faith and showing up to school, and no worker should feel they have to sacrifice their religious observance,” he added, saying the bill also treats California Muslims “equally.” valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state,” he said. Eid al-Fitr, known as the “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month during which Muslims fast from dawn to sunset.
Supporters argue that the bill would help Muslim workers and…
Eid al-Adha, or the “Festival of Sacrifice,” commemorates the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim, known as Abraham in the Jewish and Christian traditions, to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. Supporters argue that the bill would help Muslim workers and students participate in Eid prayers and spend the holidays with their families.
“For decades, Muslim families across the state have had to navigate an
unfair balancing act between their faith and their academic or professional obligations,” Oussama Mokeddem, legislative and government affairs director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ (CAIR) California chapter, said in a statement in July. “AB 2017 is a meaningful step toward ensuring Muslim students can celebrate Eid with the same dignity, respect, and accommodation afforded to other faith communities,” he added.
“It was really painful to not be with my family
Hala Hijazi, the founder of the Muslim Impact Council, recalled missing Eid with her family earlier in her career while working for the city of San Francisco. Hijazi told the Sacramento Bee, adding her family would go to lunch after Eid al-Fitr services and give gifts to the children. The California Family Council, a conservative Christian advocacy group, opposes the school provisions of the bill while supporting students’ right to take time off for religious holidays.
It has also criticized a provision permitting the State Board of Education
The group has objected to language in the bill that would allow public schools to hold activities “acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance” of Eid. to develop a model curriculum guide for schools that choose to hold those observances.
“No California statute authorizes public schools to hold exercises celebrating the meaning of Christmas
Easter, or Good Friday,” the group said in a May statement, arguing Christian and Jewish holidays have not received the very same treatment. “The asymmetry is written into the law,” the statement added. California would not be the first state to formally recognize the Eid holidays. Washington became the first state to do so, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Hijazi told the newspaper that California’s proposal would go further…
Hijazi told the newspaper that California’s proposal would go further by allowing state employees to use paid holiday credits to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Washington’s policy, by comparison, allows workers to take unpaid time off for the holidays.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion
