Progressive Democrats seek to make Eid an official US holiday

Muslim-Americans say new bill will validate their experience, but hurdles in Congress threaten national recognition

US Representative Andre Carson is the bill's lead sponsor. Bloomberg

A group of progressive Democrats in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would recognise Eid Al Adha and Eid Al Fitr as public holidays in the US.

But its pathway to passage is challenging in the Republican-majority House and Democratic-majority Senate, because “as of right now, we do not have any Senate or Republican co-sponsors,” the office of the bill's lead sponsor, Andre Carson, told The National on Tuesday.

“Muslim Americans are part of the fabric of our country,” Mr Carson said in a statement introducing the legislation, calling it “a chance to promote inclusion and tolerance of all people and all religions – the bedrock of our American values.”

Several House Republicans, including the chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, declined to comment on the proposed legislation.

Samina Sohail, vice chairwoman of the Islamic Centre of Greater Cincinnati in Ohio, said official recognition of Eid “validates the Muslim experience” and that opposition to the bill would “continue the isolation and marginalisation that is felt by so many Muslim Americans in the current geopolitical environment.”

“Having an official Eid holiday would allow families to celebrate together without needing to take time off or miss important work and school events,” she told The National.

According to Pew Research polling from 2018, Muslims make up about 1.1 per cent of the US population – but that amount is expected to increase drastically in coming decades.

By 2040, “Muslims will replace Jews as the nation’s second-largest religious group after Christians,” and will make up 2.1 per cent of the US population by 2050, according to Pew.

At the local level, increasing numbers of US school districts with high Muslim student populations have recognised Eid Al Fitr as a celebrated holiday, including a day off school.

The Eid Al Adha morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, at the start of the holiday marking the end of the Hajj pilgrimage. AFP

A shepherd with a flock of a sheep in Iraq's southern city of Basra on the eve of Eid Al Adha. AFP

Worshippers at Baitul Makmur Grand Mosque, during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Meulaboh, West Aceh, Indonesia. Reuters

Devotees greet each other after offering Eid Al Adha prayers in Kolkata, north-east India. AFP

Palestinians attend Eid Al Adha prayers in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. EPA

Worshippers pray at Eid Al Adha celebrations in Naples, southern Italy. EPA

Women enter the hall of a mosque for a mass prayer, during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur. Reuters

A sacrificial bull is loaded on to a trailer during Eid Al Adha celebrations in Istanbul. EPA

Security personnel frisk devotees entering Jami mosque in Herat, western Afghanistan, to offer Eid Al Adha prayers. AFP

A Kashmiri girl has her hands decorated with henna ahead of Eid Al Adha, in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region. EPA

Worshippers attend prayers on Eid Al Adha at the Sir Ali Muslim Club Ground cricket ground, in Kenya's capital Nairobi. Reuters

A Muslim worshipper in the Byzantine-era Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque, during the first day of Eid Al Adha in Istanbul. AP

Balloons are released during an Eid Al Adha service at Al Sayeda Zainab Mosque in Cairo. EPA

Baghdad residents take a ride at an amusement park at sunset, as they celebrate Eid Al Adha in Iraq's capital. Reuters

Eid Al Adha prayers at the Jama Masjid, in India's capital New Delhi. AP

Eid Al Adha prayers, held on the athletics track of the Dinamo Stadium, in Romania's capital Bucharest. AP

Eid Al Adha prayers at Moskovsky Prospekt during celebrations in St Petersburg. AP