The Grand Mosque of Paris has officially announced the commencement date for Ramadan 2026, ending the anticipation for millions of French Muslims. The holy month of fasting will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
Official Announcement Follows Religious Commission
The date was confirmed following a meeting of the mosque’s religious commission on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. This announcement provides clarity for France’s approximately five million Muslims regarding the start of one of Islam’s most significant observances.
Divergence from CFCM Calendar Highlights Methodological Differences
The announcement reveals a one-day discrepancy with the schedule previously published by the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), which had indicated a start date of Thursday, February 19.
This difference stems from distinct methodological approaches:
- The Grand Mosque of Paris traditionally relies on the actual sighting of the crescent moon during the “Night of Doubt” to determine the start of the lunar month.
- The CFCM utilizes scientific astronomical calculations to predict the moon’s movements in advance.
The Significance and Observance of Ramadan
Ramadan constitutes one of the Five Pillars of Islam. During this month, observant Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sexual relations from dawn until sunset.
The period is also marked by increased charitable giving. Muslims are encouraged to pay Zakat al-Fitr, a compulsory alms for the poor, and mosques and prayer halls across France—numbering approximately 2,500—typically receive significant donations.
