HOUSE BILL REPORT
SSB 5106
As Passed House:
March 31, 2025
Title: An act relating to celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Brief Description: Celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections (originally sponsored by Senators Trudeau, Warnick, Bateman, Chapman, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Riccelli, Saldaña, Shewmake, Stanford and Wilson, C.).
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
State Government & Tribal Relations: 3/25/25 [DP].
Floor Activity:
Passed House: 3/31/25, 68-29.
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Makes the first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as Eid al-Fitr, a legislatively recognized day.
  • Makes the tenth day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as Eid al-Adha, a legislatively recognized day. 
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT & TRIBAL RELATIONS
Majority Report: Do pass.Signed by 5 members:Representatives Mena, Chair; Stearns, Vice Chair; Waters, Ranking Minority Member; Doglio and Farivar.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 2 members:Representatives Walsh, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chase.
Staff: Desiree Omli (786-7105).
Background:

Eid al-Fitr is a celebration marking the end of Ramadan.  The holy month of Ramadan is a very important time in the Islamic calendar.  Ramadan begins and ends with the appearance of the crescent moon and is celebrated during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.  The date changes each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar (based on the cycles of the moon), so it is not a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar.  Observers of Ramadan do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset, otherwise known as fasting.  Fasting is important during Ramadan as observers believe it allows them to devote themselves to their faith.  Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and prayer, but also for doing good deeds and spending time with family and friends.  Normally, people will make a special effort to connect with their communities and reach out to people in need.  Eid al-Fitr is known as the festival of the breaking of the fast and begins upon the first sight of the new moon in the sky after the start of Ramadan.  Muslims will not only celebrate the end of fasting on Eid al-Fitr, but will also give thanks for the help and strength that they were given throughout the month of Ramadan.

 

Eid al-Adha is also known as the festival of the sacrifice.  It is a three-day celebration that commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ishmael as an act of obedience to Allah.  Just when Ibrahim was about to sacrifice his son, Allah stopped him and gave him a lamb to sacrifice instead.  On the morning of Eid al-Adha, Muslims gather to perform Eid prayers in congregation.  The celebration is also marked with feasts, giving donations to those in need, and sharing the meat of a sacrificed animal equally with family, friends, and the poor and needy.  Eid al-Adha falls during the twelfth and final month of the lunar Islamic calendar; the exact date is dependent on the sighting of the moon.  It is known to coincide with the end of the Hajj pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.  Millions of Muslims from across the world make the journey to Mecca to perform the Hajj pilgrimage.  Mecca is considered the holiest site in the religion of Islam and is where the religion of Islam started.  It is where the Prophet Muhammad was born and received the first revelations from God.  Many believe Eid al-Adha to be one of the most important holidays in the religion of Islam. 
Summary of Bill:

The first day of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is designated as a legislatively recognized day.

 

The tenth day of the twelfth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as Eid al-Adha, is designated as a legislatively recognized day. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Testifying:

No public hearing was held.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

No public hearing was held.