California recognises Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha as official holidays

A bill proposing the recognition of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as official holidays in California was signed into law, allowing workers to use existing paid leaves to observe the religious occasions.

The bill, AB 2017, formally recognises Eidul Fitr and Eidul Azha as Islamic holidays as of September 10. With the partnership of Muslim communities and organisations, AB 2017 was introduced to California Governor Gavin Newsom by Assembly member Matt Haney in March this year.

With the passage of the bill, schools and public workplaces will be granted the necessary tools to help Muslims in the US state to practice their faith without the burden of career obligations or academic barriers, according to US media.

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

CAIR-CA stated in a press release that AB 2017 "permits state and school employees to observe Eid using existing personal holiday credit or leave time." It added that the bill "also authorises K-12 schools and community colleges to close in observance of Eid through locally negotiated agreements."

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The council welcomed the passage of the bill, saying that it "addrssed a long-standing 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."

As per the statement by CAIR-CA, "AB 2017's passage comes at a critical time for the American-Muslim community." The council noted that officially recognising the Eid holidays "sends the necessary and powerful message that California values and protects its Muslim community in the face of growing hostility."

Eidul Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan while Eidul Azha falls in the last month of the Islamic calendar, Zil Hajj. Both occasions are observed by Muslims globally with religious fervor and devotion.