California Lawmakers Advance AB 2017 to Add 2 Muslim Holidays as State Observances
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 2
California Lawmakers Advance AB 2017 to Add 2 Muslim Holidays as State Observances
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 2
Summary
AB 2017 cleared the California Assembly 64-1 and moved to the Senate Appropriations Committee, putting Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha on track to become official state holidays.
The bill would let local school boards and community colleges close for the two Eid observances and directs the State Board of Education to develop an optional classroom model curriculum.
Matt Haney said the measure would recognize California's roughly 500,000 Muslim residents and spare students and workers from choosing between religious observance and school or job obligations.
Greg Burt of the California Family Council said language allowing schools to "acknowledge and celebrate" Eid crosses state neutrality lines, while a Senate education analysis said the bill permits instruction about religion, not indoctrination.
AB 2017 follows California's Diwali law, which took effect in January 2026, extending the state's recent push to add cultural and religious observances to official calendars.