Islam In America: New Muslim State Holidays + The Christian Response

Many Christians in America have known about Islam their whole lives. Ever since the fateful attacks of 9/11, Islam is viewed by many as a Middle Eastern religion, belonging to the Arab countries and having a huge foothold in the Eastern Hemisphere. Perhaps this is why so many American Christians are passive in their outreach and evangelism to American Muslims; we are failing to acknowledge that Muslims live in our cities and neighborhoods. Even Americans are converting (source). 

Muslims In America - New Muslim State Holidays

On April 8th, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5106 that proved, now more than ever, Muslims in America are growing in influence. Senate Bill 5106 established two Islamic religious holidays as state observance days, similar to Lunar New Year or Columbus Day. (source) 

The two holidays are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, the feasts that celebrate the end of Ramadan and the end of the month of pilgrimage, hajj, where Muslims remember Abraham’s sacrifice of his son “Ismael”. Now these days are considered unpaid holidays, but working Muslims and students can have easier access taking time off to practice their religion.

In Washington alone, there are over 100,000 Muslims, and several Muslims in congress sponsored this bill to get it to pass. Two of the main sponsors were Senator Yasmin Trudeau and Representative Osman Salahuddin. (source)

This new law presents a question to American Christians: How are we going to react to the spreading of Islamic influence in our government?

How should American Christians react to the spreading of Islamic influence in our government?

One of the wonderful blessings of living in America is the religious freedom we have to publicly proclaim Christ as Lord and freely meet in our churches without fear of persecution. Clearly, Muslims have the same rights to do this as well under the law.

Does this mean we leave the issue alone and isolate ourselves from Muslim Americans or any Muslims around us? After all, they have a right to live the way they choose, right?They do have the right to choose but we have the obligation and privilege to share the truth! We have been given the great gift of salvation through Jesus Christ and a true relationship with our Heavenly Father, and we have been commanded to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. That definitely includes the Muslims who live down the street.

What Christians need to understand about the spread of Islam in America

Islam is considered the second-most missional religion in the world – second only to Christianity. This means Muslims are following Islam’s command to spread Allah’s religion. Ever since Islam was established in the 7th century, the goal has been to gain power and influence, culturally, spiritually, and politically.

Muslims are commanded in both the Quran and the Hadith to grow the ummah of Islam by whatever means necessary. The ummah is defined as the collective international body of Muslims and the influence of Islam. Some groups do this by force, like taking over governments and establishing a violent Islamic regime, and others try to fulfill the mission more slowly and methodically, like we see in America today.

However, the goal of Islam is always the same: expanding Islam until all the world submits to Allah.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45

How should American Christians react towards Muslim Americans?

Now, this spread of Islam’s influence might easily ignite panic or anger in the hearts of some, especially since some might reflect back on 9/11 or view most Muslims as terrorists.

But we need to realize that in the same way Islam has destroyed lives of non-Muslims through violence and fear, this happens to Muslims as well who live trapped in the darkness of Islam their entire life. They are trapped in a hopeless religion, serving a god-master who demands perfection, without the true promise of any rewards.

The life of a Muslim is bleak and dire. They do not have any assurance that Allah will grant them entry to paradise, unless they are willing to die as martyrs for Islam. This is the scheme of the enemy to solidify a Muslim’s fate before they have a chance to meet the True God, the loving Father of the Bible.

Christian Americans must be more passionate and intentional about reaching Muslims with the gospel. It is key to remember, 90% of Muslims are not true fundamentalists, but rather fearful people living under a legalistic and political religion.

If you feel your heart resisting the Lord’s command to love your neighbor and share the Good News with them, then pray and ask God to soften your heart. You can read this testimony here of how the Lord did this exact thing for Call of Love’s founder, Samya Johnson, who had friends and family killed by Muslims in the Lebanese Civil War.

If you need prayer or help in getting started, please reach out to our team at info@calloflove.org.

“We love, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Prayer for Christian Americans to reach the lost

Dear Lord, please soften the hearts of the American church to see our neighbors through your eyes. Muslims are trapped in Islam, and you have given us all the command to share the Good News with them so that they might live, not die. Please give me the courage to be your witness. Amen.