In principle, there is nothing wrong with a state legislature and governor officially recognizing new holidays, and while a lot of Americans have a very bad impression of Islam, one can argue that the best way to integrate immigrant groups is to embrace them and incorporate people who are "outsiders" into the larger culture and help them adapt to the norms we all generally hold. 

So I am not outraged that Washington State just passed a law recognizing two Muslim holidays officially. Neither is given the higher status of paid days off, but they are officially recognized and can be taken as unpaid days off by people observing them. 

Whatever. The State of Washington gives similar status to much less significant days only recognized in the religion of woke. For instance, the state officially recognizes a Cesar Chavez Day, and more bizarrely, a Dolores Huerta Day and a Billy Frank, Jr. Day. 

BREAKING - Democratic Governor of Washington Bob Ferguson has signed a new law recognizing two Islamic holidays as state holidays while Easter, one of Christianity’s holiest days, still remains unrecognized by the state.

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) April 30, 2025

So, while I am not outraged in principle that Washington has decided to recognize its Muslim citizens with an acknowledgement of their religion, I AM outraged that they have done so while, at the same time, recognizing only one Christian holiday (Christmas) that is more a secular observance, while ignoring Easter, and that it has completely ignored the Jewish High Holy Days. 

The new law does not establish Eid holidays as paid holidays, but rather adds them to the state’s list of recognized observances, similar to Lunar New Year or Billy Frank Jr. Day.

“This legislation does more than expand our list of state holidays,” Ferguson said. “Recognizing Eid holidays shows our Muslim friends, family and neighbors that we honor their culture and religious practice.”

During Tuesday’s community celebration, Sen. Trudeau — the first Muslim elected to the Legislature — addressed the crowd at the Islamic Center of Tacoma.

“I want to thank everyone who supported this bill and helped ensure that our state respects all people of faith and their constitutionally protected right to practice their religion freely and safely," Sen. Trudeau said. "This is a simple bill, but by lifting up our Muslim community and our state’s commitment to religious liberty and the freedom to practice one's faith free of fear and judgment, Washington is a richer and more vibrant place. This is a state where everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and everyone belongs, no matter what your religion is.”

Rep. Salahuddin — the first and only Muslim member of the state House — also spoke Tuesday.

“This legislation is about more than just a date on the calendar,” Rep. Salahuddin said. “It’s about fostering respect, visibility, and inclusion for a community that has too often been overlooked.”

In other words, Islam is not being given the same recognition that other religions with deeper histories and more worshippers have gotten; Islam has been elevated significantly above Christianity and especially Judaism. 

Senator Trudeau may claim that the bill elevates Islam to the same status as other religions, but the opposite is true--it elevates Islam above all others. 

BREAKING: Washington just became the first U.S. state to officially recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays.

Meanwhile, Easter and Yom Kippur still aren’t recognized. pic.twitter.com/Q126PJJcF4

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 30, 2025

As Muslims and their supporters flood the streets with calls to wipe Jews off the face of the earth and with celebrations of Hamas' "decolonization" of Israel using rape, murder, torture, and kidnapping, Washington legislators explain that they are determined to fight Islamophobia. 

Two Islamic celebrations will be added to Washington’s list of unpaid state holidays, under a bill signed into law on Tuesday. 

Senate Bill 5106 would make Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha state-recognized holidays. The bill passed the House on March 31, the day after Ramadan concluded. Gov. Bob Ferguson signed it Tuesday night at the Islamic Center 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,” said Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, the bill’s prime sponsor. 

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 country to designate Eid as a state-recognized 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.

Uh...wouldn't the same be true for Jewish students who are being ignored by Washington State altogether, or Catholics who might take off Good Friday--the day of Christ's crucifixion? 

The answer is obvious, but also obvious is that this isn't the point. Islam is higher up the intersectional ladder. Christians and Jews are derided as "colonizers," while Muslims--who, by the way, invaded North Africa, the Middle East, Anatolia, India, Pakistan, Spain, and other parts of Europe as the religion spread--are somehow the colonized and hence deserve special treatment. 

Jews don't even rank with Cesar Chavez or Billy Frank, Jr, whoever that is.