California Bill to Recognize Muslim Holidays and Allow Schools to “Celebrate” Them in Classrooms

California lawmakers are moving forward with a controversial bill that would establish two major Muslim holy days as official state holidays while allowing public schools to introduce classroom activities “acknowledging and celebrating” their religious significance.

Assembly Bill 2017 passed the California State Assembly in a lopsided 64-1 vote and advanced Wednesday to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The legislation, introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Matt Haney of San Francisco, would officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, two of the most important holidays observed by Muslims around the world.

Local public school districts and community colleges would also be allowed to close their campuses for the holidays.

Although both religious celebrations traditionally last several days, the bill would designate one official day for each on California’s state calendar.

Haney said the proposal is intended to recognize California’s estimated 500,000 Muslim residents and ensure students and workers do not have to choose between practicing their faith and meeting school or job obligations.

“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 statement.

“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.”

However, critics are sounding the alarm over a provision that goes beyond simply allowing schools to close.

The bill states that participating public schools could offer exercises “acknowledging and celebrating the meaning and importance” of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

It would also authorize the California State Board of Education to create a model curriculum guide for those classroom activities using existing state resources.

Conservative advocates argue that language crosses a dangerous line between teaching students about religion and having government-run schools actively celebrate it.

“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 said California’s longstanding education guidelines permit schools to teach students about the history and cultural impact of religion, but prohibit school officials from sponsoring religious celebrations.

He pointed to policies such as those used by the Fresno County Board of Education, which state that teaching about religious holidays is allowed, while celebrating them in public schools is not.

“While teaching about religious holidays is a permissible part of the educational program, celebrating religious holidays is not allowed in the public schools,” the policy states.

“School-sponsored programs shall not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration.”

Burt also noted that many California school districts have removed references to Christian holidays from their calendars, replacing terms such as Christmas break and Easter break with the more secular “Winter Break” and “Spring Break.”

The California Family Council argues that AB 2017 could give Islam preferential treatment over other religions and place pressure on schools to officially participate in or promote Muslim religious observances.

Supporters, however, maintain that the bill does not authorize religious indoctrination.

An official analysis from the California Senate Committee on Education noted that while the state Constitution prohibits public schools from teaching sectarian or denominational doctrine, it does not prohibit instruction about religion.

The committee said existing California education law already permits schools to teach religious literature, dance, music and art when those subjects are connected to an academic course and are not being used to promote a particular faith.

The analysis concluded that AB 2017 “does not authorize religious indoctrination.”

If approved and signed into law, the two Eid celebrations would join a growing list of religious and cultural holidays officially recognized by California.

The legislation was modeled after AB 268, which took effect in January 2026 and made Diwali an official state holiday. That law also allowed optional school closures and authorized the state to develop a model curriculum guide celebrating the Hindu festival.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ California chapter is among the organizations supporting AB 2017.

CAIR California Legislative and Government Affairs Director Oussama Mokeddem said Muslim students and employees continue to face unfair consequences when they take time off to observe their faith.

“Despite existing California law, Muslim students and employees still face recurring inequity,” Mokeddem told Fox News Digital.

“Taking a day off often means missing crucial classroom instruction or falling behind on professional obligations.”

Mokeddem said AB 2017 would give schools and state workplaces a formal process, including negotiated agreements or memorandums of understanding, to recognize Eid.

“AB 2017 removes the burden of choosing between one’s faith and academic or professional success,” Mokeddem said.

The CAIR official also argued that recognizing Eid is consistent with California’s treatment of other holidays, including Lunar New Year and Diwali.

“AB 2017 is part of a broader, inclusive framework for all communities,” Mokeddem said.

“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.”

Haney did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for additional comment.

The debate comes as some California Christians continue fighting separate battles over religious symbols, including a Bay Area community’s effort to restore a historic cross that was removed by local officials.

For critics, the contrast raises a blunt question: Why are Christian traditions being scrubbed from public spaces and school calendars while lawmakers move to officially recognize and potentially celebrate other religious holidays inside classrooms?