The Grand Mosque of Paris has officially declared the date for Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. The celebration will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026.
Lunar Observation Determines the Date
In a statement released on Wednesday afternoon, the mosque’s joint religious commission confirmed the decision. “The joint religious commission announces that the new moon is not visible. Consequently, the day of Eid al-Fitr will be Friday, March 20, 2026,” the institution stated. The date is set according to the Islamic lunar calendar, based on the sighting of the crescent moon.
This year’s Ramadan began on February 18, 2026, making the fasting period approximately 30 days.
A Celebration Amid Regional Tensions
The announcement comes as Ramadan observances in many Muslim-majority nations have been overshadowed by ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The region has been gripped by war following a joint Israeli-American attack on Iran, which has cast a pall over the holy month’s festivities for many communities.
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic calendar, characterized by communal prayers, feasting, and charity.
