California lawmakers' push to make Muslim holy days state holidays sparks debate over school neutrality
California lawmakers are advancing a new bill that would establish two Muslim holy days as state holidays while authorizing the state to develop a new model curriculum for students to "acknowledge and celebrate" these religious observances in the classroom.
The bill, AB 2017, passed the State Assembly with a 64-1 vote and advanced to the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Authored by Assemblyman Matt Haney, D-San Francisco, the bill establishes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — two major holidays celebrated by Muslims around the world — as official state holidays and allows local public school boards and community colleges the option to shut down their campuses for both holidays.
Both holidays are traditionally celebrated over three to four days, but the legislation designates a single day of observance for each on the state calendar.
Haney said the legislation is aimed at protecting religious diversity and recognizing the traditions of the state's 500,000 Muslim residents.
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"California is home to one of the largest and most vibrant Muslim communities in the country, and their traditions deserve recognition and respect," Haney said in a press release.
"No student should have to choose between celebrating one of the holiest days of their faith and showing up to school, and no worker should feel they have to sacrifice their religious observance," he continued. "AB 2017 is about making sure Muslim Californians are seen, valued, and treated with the same dignity as every other community in our state."
But an under-the-radar provision in the bill's text would bring the celebration of these religious holidays into the classroom and has drawn criticism from a prominent conservative advocacy group.
According to the text of AB 2017, public schools opting to observe the days can include exercises "acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance" of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
The bill authorizes the State Board of Education to create a model curriculum guide for these exercises, which would be funded through existing resources.
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"This is not about teaching, this is encouraging the celebration of a religious holiday," Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, told Fox News Digital. "What happened to neutrality? It doesn't make any sense."
Burt argued the bill flies in the face of long-standing state neutrality guidelines, which permit teaching about the historical impact of religion but strictly forbid public schools from acting as a sponsor for religious celebrations.
He pointed to traditional school district policies, like those from the Fresno County Board of Education, which explicitly state: "While teaching about religious holidays is a permissible part of the educational program, celebrating religious holidays is not allowed in the public schools. School-sponsored programs shall not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration."
Burt noted that many school districts have scrubbed Christian holidays and traditions from the calendar, adopting "Spring" and "Winter" break language in order to avoid the appearance of promoting Easter or Christmas.
The California Family Council argued AB 2017 will give "preferential treatment" to the religion of Islam over others and "could create pressure on schools to formally participate in or promote religious observances," it adds.
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However, the official Senate Committee on Education review stated in its analysis of the bill, "Though the California Constitution prohibits public schools from teaching any sectarian or denominational doctrine, it does not prohibit instruction about religion."
The committee found AB 2017 follows the existing state education code, which permits instruction on religious literature, dance, music and arts if related to the course of study and not for the purpose of promoting a religion. It concluded the bill "does not authorize religious indoctrination."
If signed into law, Eid would be included in a growing list of cultural and religious days the state recognizes as holidays and allow district-wide closures. AB 2017 models AB 268, which went into effect in January 2026, establishing Diwali as an official state holiday, authorizing optional school district closures, and permitting the state board to adopt a model curriculum guide to celebrate the holiday.
Supporters of AB2017, such as Muslim advocacy group CAIR California, argue the bill is meant to address inequity in schools and the workplace.
"Despite existing California law, Muslim students and employees still face recurring inequity. Taking a day off often means missing crucial classroom instruction or falling behind on professional obligations," CAIR-CA Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem told Fox News Digital. "AB 2017 removes the burden of choosing between one’s faith and academic or professional success by providing a formal mechanism, such as negotiated agreements or MOUs, for schools and state workplaces to recognize Eid as a deeply significant holiday."
Mokeddem said the bill was part of the state's broader effort to be inclusive for all communities.
"AB 2017 is part of a broader, inclusive framework for all communities," she continued. "It clarifies that public institutions may observe Eid, which is consistent with California's existing recognition of cultural and religious observances, such as Lunar New Year and Diwali. Recognizing Eid alongside these holidays reflects our state’s ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and religious equity for all."
Assemblyman Haney did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.