California Makes Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha Official State Holidays

India-West News Desk

SACRAMENTO, CA- California has recognized Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as Islamic holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill allowing state and school employees to use existing leave to observe the two occasions.

Assembly Bill 2017, authored by Assembly member Matt Haney, was signed into law on September 10. Haney introduced the legislation in March in partnership with Muslim communities and organizations.

The new law allows state and school employees to use personal holiday credit or existing leave time for Eid. It also permits K-12 schools and community colleges to close for the holidays through locally negotiated agreements.

The bill was co-sponsored by the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs and the Muslim Impact Council.

Eidul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan, while Eidul Azha is observed in Zil Hajj, the final month of the Islamic calendar. Both occasions are observed by Muslims around the world.