SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5106
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections, February 7, 2025
Title: An act relating to establishing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.
Brief Description: Establishing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays. [Revised for 1st Substitute: Celebrating Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.]
Sponsors: Senators Trudeau, Warnick, Bateman, Chapman, Dhingra, Frame, Hasegawa, Lovelett, Nobles, Riccelli, Saldaña, Shewmake, Stanford and Wilson, C..
Brief History:
Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections: 1/28/25, 2/07/25 [DPS, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill
  • The state recognizes Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL AFFAIRS & ELECTIONS
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5106 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Valdez, Chair; Krishnadasan, Vice Chair; Hasegawa, Kauffman, Riccelli and Short.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Wilson, J., Ranking Member; Fortunato and McCune.
Staff: Danielle Creech (786-7412)
Background:

Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Fitr is the first of two official holidays celebrated within Islam worldwide. It marks the end of the month-long, dawn-to-dusk fasting of Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal in the lunar-cycle based Islamic calendar, which means it does not always fall on the same day of the Gregorian calendar from year to year. 

 

Eid al-Adha. Eid al-Adha is the second of the two official holidays celebrated within Islam. It falls on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. The date on the Gregorian calendar may shift by 10 to 11 days each year. Celebrations and observances are generally carried forward to the three following days, known as the Tashreeq days. 

 

State Days of Recognition. There are 20 days, as declared by the Legislature, which are recognized but not considered paid legal holidays. This includes days commemorating specific events, groups of people, individuals, ideas, non-legal holidays, and federally recognized days. 
Summary of Bill:

The bill as referred to committee not considered.
Summary of Bill (First Substitute):

The Legislature declares that Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are recognized as nonlegal holidays. 
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute:

PRO: This bill is about visibility and affording our state the opportunity to reinforce its commitment to religious liberty and the freedom to practice one's own faith, free of fear and judgment. There are around 4.5 to 5 million Muslims around the United States and almost around 80,000 to 100,000 Muslims in Washington State. Recognizing Eid is a meaningful step toward combating negative stereotypes and fostering a deeper understanding. Eid is a time for spiritual connection, spiritual reflection, family connection, and community unity.

 

Students often have to choose between their faith and their academic duty. Without this bill, each family has to advocate for themselves which is just too high a barrier. When institutions recognize and commemorate holidays that are of great significance to those who are part of their communities, it makes an incredible difference in creating and deepening belonging. In passing this bill, several thousands of Muslim community members, and especially our Muslim children that come from varying ethnic, racial and socioeconomic identities, see that the Senate is signifying that all legislators recognize them, see their humanity and consider their celebrations worthy of being acknowledged. This will uplift the Muslim community and send a strong message that they are valued and they belong.
Persons Testifying:

PRO: Senator Yasmin Trudeau, Prime Sponsor; Aamena Ellithy; Sarah Karim; Samia El-Moslimany; Laila Saliba, Washington for Peace and Justice; Aya Samman; Amna Qazi, 1806, 15th ave south west; Michelle Ryder; Katharine Walker, CAIR Washington; Sabrene Odeh, CAIR; Desirée Toliver.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying:

PRO: Shehzad Qureshi; Ruslan Baltabayev; Aysha Siddiqui; Afshan Khan; Zyad Altheeb, 604 South 82nd Ave. unit 3; Anik Vahora; Saima Samad; Fathia Hassan; Nashad Safa; Mubashir Koul; Shaheen Hameed; Maryam sajid; Rafia Kamal; Fatuma M Adem; Zainab Ateeque; Amina Khan.

OTHER: Zebiba Nur, Open hand childcare; Khursheed Mir.