Washington becomes 1st US state to recognize Muslim Eids as holidays
Washington has become the first U.S. state to recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as unpaid state holidays.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law at the Islamic Center of Tacoma.
Senate Bill 5106, passed just after Ramadan, was sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau and Rep. Osman Salahuddin.
They highlighted the bill’s importance in helping more than 100,000 Muslims across the Pacific Northwest state.
They will now be able to observe their faith without academic or professional penalties.
Salahuddin said too many Muslim students had to miss important events such as graduations because their religious holidays were not recognized.
The new law requires schools to accommodate absences for reasons of faith and allows employees to take two unpaid holidays a year for religious observances.
Both Eid celebrations involve community gatherings and communal prayers.
The bill received strong bipartisan support, with nearly 40 co-sponsors.
Last year, Washington also recognized the Lunar New Year as an unpaid holiday.
Community leaders praised the move saying it allows Muslim residents to finally see their traditions reflected in state law.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
