Washington enacts law recognising eids as holidays

The two Islamic celebrations, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, will be added to American Washington state’s list of unpaid state holidays, under a bill signed into law on Tuesday. Senate Bill 5106 will make the two eids state-recognised holidays. The bill passed the House on March 31, the day after Ramadan concluded. Washington governor, Bob […]

The two Islamic celebrations, Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, will be added to American Washington state’s list of unpaid state holidays, under a bill signed into law on Tuesday.

Senate Bill 5106 will make the two eids state-recognised holidays. The bill passed the House on March 31, the day after Ramadan concluded.

Washington governor, Bob Ferguson, signed the bill on Tuesday night at the Islamic Centre of Tacoma, where community members filled the room.

“Being in that room yesterday and just understanding the impact and the way people felt afterwards, it’s one thing to pass a bill and it’s another thing to be in the community,” Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, the bill’s prime sponsor, said.

These holidays are celebrated by more than 100,000 Muslims across Washington State.

In his remarks, Ferguson noted that Washington is the first state in the United States to designate Eid as a state-recognised holiday.

“This is the first in the country, which is a huge deal,” said Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, sponsor of the House version of the bill.

Salahuddin described people having to choose between observing their faith and meeting their academic or professional responsibilities.

“Too many Muslim students have had to miss milestone events like graduation or face academic penalties simply for observing their faith,” Salahuddin said.

This bill, along with other state laws, would allow employees to take off two unpaid holidays per year for a reason of faith and require postsecondary institutions to accommodate student absences and reschedule exams or school activities “for reasons of faith or conscience.”

The month of Ramadan marks one of the most sacred times for Muslims. During this occasion, Muslims fast between dawn and sunset and devote their time to spiritual reflection and prayer. Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan.

 

Eid Al-Adha observes the completion of the pilgrimage to Makkah and commemorates the willingness of the prophet, Ibrahim, to sacrifice his son at the request of God. (The Columbian)