Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha have been formally recognised in the US state of California. The two main Muslim religious festivals have been added to California’s list of state holidays after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha in Dhul Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims in countries around the world observe the two festivals with religious solemnity.
Under the new law, workers in California can use their existing paid leave to observe Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Public schools and community colleges may also close on Eid by local decision.
However, the law does not mean that all workers in California will get two extra days of paid leave. Under its conditions, state employees can take up to eight hours off for Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, using vacation, annual leave, compensatory time off or personal leave credits.
Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha have been left off California’s list of judicial holidays.
The bill’s author, Assembly member Matt Haney, said California is home to one of the largest Muslim communities in the United States, and that their religious traditions and festivals deserve recognition.
The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), which backed the bill, welcomed the decision. It said the law will make it easier for Muslim students and workers to celebrate Eid while meeting their responsibilities at school and work.
CAIR-CA says more than one million Muslims live in California, and described the law as an important step in recognising Muslims’ religious festivals in the state.
According to the California Legislative Information website, Governor Newsom approved AB 2017 on September 27, and the law was filed with the Secretary of State the same day.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report