Lewiston’s Rep. Mana Abdi (D) has introduced a bill to allow state workers to get the Muslim holidays Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha off from work, requiring the closure of all non-essential state offices on those days — which fall on different dates each year.

“For Muslims living in Maine, these holidays hold the same significance as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving. Yet, unlike these widely recognized holidays, Muslim Mainers often face the dilemma of choosing between their faith and work or school obligations,” explained Rep. Abdi in her testimony for the public hearing on Monday.

“This bill is also a matter of equity. Holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving are built into the existing system, allowing employees time off without using personal leave. Muslim employees, however, often have to use their earned time to observe Eid, creating an unfair disparity in workplace policies,” said Abdi.

The bill, LD 724, drew co-sponsorships from eight Democratic representatives and is now being considered by the Committee on State and Local Government.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha coincides with the Haj, or annual pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca. Both holidays, like Thanksgiving or Easter, fall on different days every year and would require Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine) and her successors to designate the dates of the holidays at the outset of the year.

In her testimony, Abdi, born in Kenya, focused on her struggles and those of other Muslims who without such a law might have to work on the holidays. She stated that the holidays would boost the state’s economy because more Muslims would be purchasing things for celebrations.

A number of everyday Mainers testified on the bill, with the majority of those showing support and a few opposing the new holidays.

Portland City Councillor Pious Ali testified in favor of the bill.

“Recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as public holidays is not just an acknowledgment of the Muslim community—it is a reaffirmation of the very values that make Maine home to so many,” said Ali.

“This decision would not only reflect the diversity of our state but would also reaffirm Maine’s reputation as a place of coexistence, mutual respect, and shared humanity,” he added.

Despite the outpouring of support, a handful of Mainer’s testified against the change.

“This is not a Muslim country and, while we welcome them to our country, I don’t feel that we need to change or alter our founding Christian values to cater to these ceremonies and make them a state holiday,” said Diane Vernesoni of Topsham.

“As the granddaughter of an immigrant, I have nothing against immigration. I
just think they should assimilate, not change our country to be like where they left,” she added.

If the bill passes, the state will recognize more Muslim holidays than Christian holidays or those of any other religious group. Only one Christian holiday, Christmas, is recognized as a state holiday in Maine, and no other religions have any holidays on the state schedule.

One supporter of the legislation, Kiernan Majerus-Collins of Auburn, requested that the bill be amended to also include the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.

“Just as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are the most important holidays in Islam, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are the most important holidays in Judaism. All the strong arguments in favor of recognizing Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as new state holidays also apply to recognizing the High Holy Days,” he said.

The bill does not include a fiscal note, although it would require taxpayers to fund two additional days of paid leave for all non-essential state employees.

Out of the three pieces of legislation sponsored by Abdi in the current session, two have been aimed at furthering the interests of Muslims in Maine.

She also submitted a resolution, HP 499, to formally recognize the start of Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, and to express respect for Muslims across the state.

The State Senate approved the resolution on Tuesday.

The legislature has not issued any resolution formally recognizing and honoring the start of the Christian period of fasting, known as Lent.