The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today welcomed Governor Gavin Newsom’s signing of Assembly Bill (AB) 2017, which recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in state law and addresses 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.
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney and co-sponsored by CAIR-CA, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and the Muslim Impact Council, AB 2017 permits state and school employees to observe Eid using existing personal holiday credit or leave time. The bill also authorizes K-12 schools and community colleges to close in observance Eid through locally negotiated agreements.
AB 2017’s passage comes at a critical time for the American Muslim community. CAIR recently documented a 183% increase in incidents targeting mosques and Islamic centers from May to July compared to the same three-month period last year. 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:
“For far too long, Muslim students and employees in California have had to make the difficult choice between participating in observances essential to their faith or falling behind on their academic or professional obligations. AB 2017 removes these structural barriers and aligns state policy with the values of inclusion, equity, and respect for cultural diversity that define our state.
“We commend Gov. Newsom for signing AB 2017 and sending a powerful message that amid growing hostility, California stands firmly with its Muslim community. We also thank Assemblymember Haney for his authorship and outgoing Senator Aisha Wahab for her co-authorship on this critical bill, as well as our partners, the Muslim Impact Council and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs. Together, we’ve achieved a historic win for California Muslims.”
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 [email protected]; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Senior Operations & Development Manager Elle Dunlap, [email protected]; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626 or [email protected]; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779 or [email protected]