Photo: Meem Noon Productions
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 final legislative passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 2017. The measure, which recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law, successfully passed a Senate vote and Assembly concurrence yesterday, Aug. 30. The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk for final signature.
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney and co-sponsored by CAIR-CA, the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and the Muslim Impact Council, AB 2017 authorizes K-12 schools and community colleges to close for Eid through locally negotiated agreements. The bill also permits state and school employees to observe the holidays using existing personal holiday credit or leave time, addressing a longstanding challenge for the state’s more than one million Muslim residents who are often forced to choose between practicing their faith and showing up to school or work.
The bill’s passage comes at a critical time for the American Muslim community. CAIR recently documented an 183% increase in incidents targeting mosques and Islamic centers from May to July compared to the same three-month period last year. In light of this alarming rise in anti-Muslim bias and Islamophobia, CAIR-CA strongly urges Gov. Newsom to sign AB 2017 into law. Officially recognizing these holidays sends the necessary and powerful message that California values and protects its Muslim community in the face of growing hostility.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“Amid an alarming rise in anti-Muslim bigotry and attacks on our places of worship, this legislative victory offers a beacon of hope. Passing AB 2017 sends a resounding message that California stands firmly with its Muslim residents and values our rich traditions. We are incredibly proud of the broad coalition that made today possible and look forward to Gov. Newsom signing this bill into law.”
In a statement, CAIR-CA Legislative & Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem said:
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Asm. Haney for authoring this bill and carrying it in the Assembly, to Senator Aisha Wahab for her co-authorship and carrying it in the Senate, and to our incredible partners, the Muslim Impact Council and CA Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs for their leadership throughout this campaign. For decades, Muslim students and workers have been forced to make the difficult choice between their faith and their professional or academic obligations. The passage of AB 2017 is a historic milestone, and we urge Gov. Newsom to sign this critical piece of legislation to ensure our state laws finally reflect the respect and equitable accommodations the Muslim community has always deserved.”
CAIR-CA is the California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’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 Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851 or eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Senior Operations & Development Manager Elle Dunlap, edunlap@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626 or tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or ladam@cair.com
