Elham Asaad Buaras
California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, prompting criticism from conservative groups and commentators, including Rabbi Michael Barclay, who described the move as “effectively Sharia law”.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 on September 27, adding the two major Islamic festivals to California’s statutory holiday calendar.
The legislation makes California the second US state, after Washington in 2025, to formally recognise both Eids at state level.
In a report headlined “‘Effectively Sharia Law’: Newsom Signs Law Prioritising Muslim State Holidays”, CBN News quoted Barclay as saying the move was “really disconcerting” and accusing California politicians of “pandering” to Muslims.
Barclay also linked Ramadan to al-Qaida in his criticism of the legislation. His comments came after opposition during the legislative process from groups that had focused instead on religious neutrality and constitutional concerns.
The California Family Council opposed AB 2017, arguing that California already allows pupils to take excused absences for religious observances and questioning why Eid should receive specific statutory recognition.
At a Senate Education Committee hearing, California Family Council representative Leandra Wells argued that public schools could teach pupils about religions without celebrating religious observances. The organisation also raised concerns about government favouring particular religions.
AB 2017 does not create two compulsory days off for everyone in California.
Public schools and community colleges may close for Eid through existing local agreements, but the law does not require schools statewide to shut. Students observing either festival can have their absence treated as an excused religious absence.
Eligible state employees can use existing holiday-credit arrangements to observe Eid. The legislation also takes account of the Islamic lunar calendar, under which the dates change each year and may differ between Muslim communities.
Eid is excluded from California’s judicial holidays, meaning courts are not required to close.
The law describes its addition of the festivals to the state calendar as a “civil calendar determination” recognising their cultural significance to California communities.
Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, while Eid al-Adha is observed during the annual Hajj period.
The bill was introduced on February 17 by Assembly member Matt Haney, a Democrat representing San Francisco, with Senator Aisha Wahab among its principal legislative supporters.
Haney said Muslim students and workers should not have to choose between observing their faith and meeting their educational or professional obligations.
The legislation was supported by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and the Muslim Impact Council.
CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said Muslim students and employees had “for far too long” faced a choice between participating in Eid observances and keeping up with academic or professional obligations.
Muslim Impact Council founder Hala Hijazi also described having previously missed Eid with her family because of work commitments.
The measure passed through the California Legislature before being sent to Newsom for his signature. Its enactment means California now joins Washington in formally recognising both major Islamic festivals at state level.
