A bill aims to add a new legal holiday to the state of Delaware. Here's what to know

Krys'tal Griffin, Delaware News Journal
·3 min read

If passed, a new bill would add one more state holiday, a Muslim holiday, to Delaware’s yearly lineup.

Here’s what to know.

What is House Bill 360?

Between 8,000 and 10,000 people were expected to mark the end of Ramadan on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, by celebrating Eid al-Fitr at the Delaware Saengerbund in Ogletown.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 people were expected to mark the end of Ramadan on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, by celebrating Eid al-Fitr at the Delaware Saengerbund in Ogletown.

House Bill 360, introduced on March 27 and primarily sponsored by State Rep. Madinah Wilson-Anton of the 26th district, aims to add Eid ul-Fitr to the list of state holidays. The legal holiday would be observed for one day.

The legal holidays currently recognized by the State of Delaware are:

  • New Year’s Day

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • Good Friday

  • Memorial Day

  • Juneteenth

  • Independence Day, also known as the Fourth of July

  • Labor Day

  • Election Day

  • Return Day, observed after noon for state employees living and/or working in Sussex County

  • Veterans Day

  • Thanksgiving Day

  • The day after Thanksgiving

  • Christmas Day

Madinah Wilson-Anton, State Representative 26th District
Madinah Wilson-Anton, State Representative 26th District

Although the State of Delaware grants state employees two floating holidays per calendar year, recognizing Eid ul-Fitr as a legal holiday allows those who observe the holiday to save their floating holidays for other personal matters.

Wilson-Anton previously sponsored a bill, House Bill 163, that sought to require schools to excuse a student’s absence for the observance of a religious holiday. The bill also required districts and charters to have a policy discouraging teachers from scheduling presentations, tests and similar tasks on days some students may be absent for a religious holiday, according to the General Assembly website.

HB 163 was passed during the 151st General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. John Carney on June 30, 2021.

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What is Eid ul-Fitr?

Delaware Muslims filled the Delaware Saengerbund on Wednesday April 10, 2024 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Delaware Muslims filled the Delaware Saengerbund on Wednesday April 10, 2024 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

Eid ul-Fitr, also known as the Festival of Sweets or Festival of Breaking the Fast, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide and marks the end of the monthlong dawn-to-sunset fasting that took place during Ramadan, the holy month of Islam.

Aside from marking the end of the monthlong fast, common celebrations for Eid ul-Fitr include Eid prayers, festive meals, social gatherings, dressing up, visiting the graves of relatives, charitable and gift-giving.

When is Eid ul-Fitr?

A near full moon lit up the Dover High School Senators football game against the Appoquinimink High School Jaguars at Dover High, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Dover won 27-14.
A near full moon lit up the Dover High School Senators football game against the Appoquinimink High School Jaguars at Dover High, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022. Dover won 27-14.

The Islamic calendar is tied to the lunar cycles, meaning Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha — the Holiday of Sacrifice — are celebrated on different days each year.

Once the holy month concludes, the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month in the Islamic calendar, are celebrated, but not until the new moon is seen. This means that Eid ul-Fitr starts at different times around the world. Some Muslims choose to celebrate when the new moon appears over Mecca, according to the Pluralism Project.

As seen this year, events like the total solar eclipse on April 8 can also impact the beginning of Eid ul-Fitr.

If HB 360 passes, Eid ul-Fitr would be recognized on different days each year, similar to Thanksgiving.

Next steps for HB 360

Delaware Muslims filled the Delaware Saengerbund on Wednesday April 10, 2024 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.
Delaware Muslims filled the Delaware Saengerbund on Wednesday April 10, 2024 to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

HB 360 originally included both Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as potential new state holidays, but Wilson-Anton filed an amendment on May 22 to change the bill to include Eid ul-Fitr only.

On May 23, HB 360 was assigned to the Appropriations Committee in the House, where it awaits further consideration.

Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: New bill aims to recognize Eid ul-Fitr as legal holiday in Delaware