The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today welcomed the California Senate Education Committee’s passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2017, a measure co-sponsored by CAIR-CA, the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and the Muslim Impact Council that would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law.
The bill, authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
AB 2017 aims to address a longstanding gap in state law for California’s more than one million Muslims, whose two major religious holidays are not currently recognized by the state. If passed, the measure would allow Muslim students to observe Eid without academic penalty and allow state employees to use existing leave to take the day off.
The bill follows California’s recent legislative expansions to formally recognize other major cultural and religious observances, including Lunar New Year and Diwali.
In a statement, CAIR-CA Legislative & Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem said:
“For decades, Muslim families across the state have had to navigate an unfair balancing act between their faith and their academic or professional obligations. 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.
“Today’s committee passage brings California one step closer to ensuring our state’s laws reflect the true diversity of its people. We thank Assemblymember Matt Haney for championing this bill and urge the Senate Appropriations Committee to advance it toward final passage.”
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, 408.498.5779, ladam@cair.com
