Gavin Newsom signs Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha into law as new California state holidays
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the Muslim days Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha into law as California state holidays before signing bills protecting Jewish holidays.
TL;DR
- California has signed into law Assembly Bill 2017, formally recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.
- This legislation allows public schools and colleges to close and makes state employees eligible to observe these holidays.
- California is now the second state, following Washington, to enact statewide legislation recognizing these Muslim holidays.
- Governor Newsom also signed bills related to Jewish holidays, including codifying them into state law and allowing excused absences for students.
- Republican critics expressed concern that the governor prioritized Muslim holidays over Jewish holidays, suggesting it could set a precedent for Sharia law frameworks.
- Supporters, like David Bocarsly of Jewish California, stated they were not concerned about the signing order as long as all relevant bills became law.
- Newsom's office stated that bills are signed based on their substance and the constitutional process, emphasizing California's commitment to religious freedom.