Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 2017, adding Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California's official state holidays so public schools, colleges and state employees may observe them. The law permits—but does not require—closures, and courts will remain open. Newsom signed related measures recognizing several Jewish holidays and guaranteeing excused student absences, drawing mixed reactions about the order of signings. Officials say the action reflects routine legislative process and expands religious freedom protections in California.
California Makes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha Official State Holidays As Newsom Signs AB 2017
Gavin Newsom in Munich
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday signed Assembly Bill 2017, formally recognizing the two major Muslim observances, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, as official state holidays.
What The Law Does
AB 2017 amends California's roster of state holidays to include both Eids. Under the measure, public schools and colleges may close on those days and state employees may be eligible to observe the holidays. The law does not mandate closures for schools or private businesses, and courts are required to remain open.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law recognizing two Muslim holidays as California state holidays Sunday.
Context And Related Legislation
Newsom signed AB 2017 amid a cluster of related bills on his desk addressing religious observance. Those included:
- AB 395 — Codifies several Jewish holidays, including Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, into state statute and directs state agencies and institutions to "make every reasonable effort" to avoid scheduling major events that conflict with those observances.
- AB 1763 — Guarantees that K–12 students can receive excused absences for religious holidays.
- SB 1387 — Recognizes Jewish identity as an ethnicity under state law.
Although AB 395 and AB 1763 reached the governor's desk before AB 2017, all of the measures were signed into law ahead of the constitutional deadline.
The law could permit schools to close in recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Reactions
The move has prompted mixed responses. Supporters praised the recognition as an important expansion of religious freedom and inclusion in California's diverse public life. David Bocarsly, CEO of Jewish California, welcomed the package of bills and said the sequence of signatures was not consequential so long as the measures became law.
"With more than 1,000 bills in front of him this past month, we aren't concerned with the sequencing...as long as they got signed, and they did," Bocarsly told Fox News Digital.
Some Republican critics argued that the order of signings suggested a political priority. Elizabeth Barcohana, chair of Jewish engagement for the California Republican Party, said the sequencing "speaks volumes" about the governor's direction and raised concerns about whether Muslim holidays might receive special accommodations not afforded to other faiths.
Gov. Gavin Newsom has received a mixed response to the bills he signed.
Newsom's office responded that signing decisions are based on the substance of legislation and the timing of bill delivery, not on creating a scorecard among faiths. "California is proud to continue strengthening its religious freedom," a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
Significance
With this action California becomes the second U.S. state, after Washington, to adopt statewide laws recognizing both Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. The change allows more flexibility for public institutions and state employees to observe these religious holidays while maintaining that closures are permissive rather than mandatory.
Note: News reports indicate the governor's office was contacted for comment; statements cited here are from those communications and public statements by advocacy groups and political officials.
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