California Governor Signs Bill Recognizing Two Muslim Holidays

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Sunday that formally recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, making California the second state in the U.S. to do so. The legislation, Assembly Bill 2017, adds the two Muslim holidays to the list of state holidays, which could allow public schools and colleges to close and make state employees eligible to observe them.

However, the law does not mandate closures for schools or businesses, and courts are required to remain open on these days. Washington state is the only other state with similar statewide legislation.

The signing occurred amidst a period where Newsom was reviewing several other bills related to religious observances. Among these were Assembly Bill 395, which would codify Jewish holidays like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur into state law and require state agencies to make reasonable efforts to avoid scheduling significant functions on those days, and Assembly Bill 1763, which would grant students excused absences for religious holidays. Newsom signed these additional bills later in the week, prior to a legislative deadline.

Some Republican opponents criticized the governor's actions, suggesting that signing the bill for Muslim holidays before the others indicated a political direction, particularly in light of potential future presidential aspirations. Elizabeth Barcohana, chair of Jewish engagement for the California Republican Party, expressed concern that the new law could grant Muslim holidays privileges not extended to other religions, potentially leading to the closure of public institutions.

“People may think this is alarmist, but this is an example of American laws adopting a Sharia law framework,” Barcohana told Cleveland Jewish News (JNS). “Special protections no other religious observance receives, the option to shut down public institutions to observe the holiday that, until now, only Christian holidays received and curriculum in public schools that is religious in nature notably about a religion that emphasizes conversion.”

Conversely, David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, supported Newsom's decisions, stating that the order of signing was not a concern as all relevant bills became law. He expressed satisfaction that the legislation providing religious freedom protections for Jewish holidays was enacted, recognizing three Jewish holidays in California statute. His organization also celebrated the signing of SB 1387, which recognizes Jewish identity as an ethnicity. Newsom's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.