Why isn't Eid (Islam) a national holiday in the United States?

Question

There are over 7 million Muslims in USA and each year, we Muslims celebrate two very holy and important days: Eid Al-Adha and Eid Al-Fitr. I am wondering why the American government hasn't declared Eid a national holiday?

Each year, the two Eids fall on different dates due to sightings of the Moon. Those two days are the only days of the year Muslims truly celebrate. Islam is one of the world's major religions---Middle East, Parts of Africa, most of South Asia and a few other countries all get days off in Eid---why not U.S? Tell me, why aren't the banks, post offices, libraries, and schools closed on Eid in USA?

I am looking for serious answers please, not hateful insults from Islam bashers...thank you.

Answer 1

I think because Canada and USA are not really a Muslim country. Although it's very multicultural and people from all parts of the world live there, my understanding is that it was once a Christian nation. Think about it: why isn't Christmas a national holiday in Saudia Arabia? Because it is a Muslim country.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

I am sure there are many reasons as to why and there is obviously not one correct answer.

The thing is that you can say the exact same thing for Catholics who celebrate Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Both are major Catholic holidays of course, but it is not observed nationally, unless you live in a place where the majority is Catholic.

I am sure there are places in the United States that do close on those holidays mainly because there is a high population of Muslims in the area. I would assume places such as Dearborn, MI close their stores, schools, etc. to observe the holidays.

You have to keep in mind that not every single person in the United States is a Muslim. You could argue that Christmas is a national holiday, but let's not forget that while Christmas is a Christian holiday, it is also a secular holiday.

Just my take on the topic.

Answer 3

There are over 300 million people in the U.S. Seven million Muslims are only 2.3% of this number. The only reason Christmas is a national holiday is because this nation was founded by Christians, and the holiday has always been observed as a day off. No other federal holiday has anything to do with religion. The link below shows federal holidays marked in red.

Answer 4

There are only a few States which even observe Good Friday as a special day where their government offices close. And the financial markets do as well. And there are more Roman Catholics in the U.S. and almost as many Catholics world-wide as the number of people in the Islamic Umma. Despite their apparent religious underpinnings, Christmas and Easter are still vastly celebrated like the pagan holidays they were drawn from on the calendar.
Those holidays where the banks and postal services are closed are generally drawn from U.S. history, with the exception of the two I mentioned above. And all of those have strong secular underpinnings. Days like Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, etc.

Answer 5

The only "Christian" holiday celebrated in the USA is Christmas. Easter always falls on a Sunday and is not a national holiday.
The only reason Christmas is a holiday is because it was made years ago. If they tried to make it a holiday today, the ACLU would step in and sue claiming separation of church and state. I don't see the US government recognizing any more holidays from Christianity or any other religion. In fact, in 20 years or so, Christmas probably won't be a holiday either. They will probably rename it to some secular name.

Answer 6

For the same reason Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, etc.(Jewish holidays), Beltane, Samhain, etc. (Pagan holidays), and holidays of other world religions aren't celebrated in the U.S. - they're not representative of a majority, or even a plurality of the country's inhabitants. Of course, you could make a case that those other holidays are reflected in the timing of things such as Easter (Passover, Beltane, e.g.), Halloween, and Christmas.

Why doesn't Saudi Arabia make Christmas and Easter national holidays? I thought that Jesus (PBUH) was considered a prophet in Islam, something that cannot be said about Muhammad (PBUH) in Christianity.

Answer 7

Because the US is a secular nation not a theocracy, though there are those who would like to make the US a Christian theocracy.

Christmas and Easter are the Christian adaptations of early Pagan solar observances. Christmas should be celebrated as a Winter Holiday and Easter as a Spring Holiday.

Jewish holy days are not observed as national holidays in the US and I am not in favor of observing Muslim religious holidays as national holidays.

Answer 8

We don't/can't celebrate, commemorate the birthdays of all foreign notables, display and salute the flags of ALL the nations of the world. That doesn't mean the US denigrates their religions, nationalities or people. There isn't enough room on the calendar to recognize EVERY worthwhile faith, cause or beloved institution with a holiday.
If a concerted effort to do so took place there would be little, if any, time or resources to be as benevolent around the world as we are.
Happy New Year!

Answer 9

For the same reason holidays of other nations, who's citizen's migrate here, aren't celebrated nationally. Our national holidays are traditionally American, many are Christian, and are mandated by law. Your holiday wouldn't be a legal holiday in Canada, or anywhere else other than your native country.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You're here by choice, so respect our laws. If you want Eid celebrated as a national holiday, you'll have to go to your native country.

Answer 10

The USA was founded by Christians.
Many employers have floating Holidays for other religions.
I know of many that will allow employees to work on Christmas and Easter to use that day for when their religion has a special day.
As far as a the banks and public services, if every holiday for every religion was given off to all employees they would seldom be open. That would be counter to the term public service.