The date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 is known in France (it will be common)

The Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) has been categorical in a press release published this Friday, March 6. Based on astronomical calculations, the body announces that the lunar conjunction will occur on Thursday, March 19 at 01:24 GMT. This mathematically sets the first day of Shawwal on Friday, March 20 after 30 days of fasting.

This year, the specter of division within the community seems to be fading away. Although the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM) started Ramadan one day after the CTMF, its office also indicates Friday as the date of Eid. "There should be no division in France regarding the date of Eid," the Theological Council emphasizes.

The visibility of the crescent moon confirms this global trend. While naked-eye observation will be easy in North America, it will require a telescope in most Arab and African countries. In Morocco and Algeria, a perfectly clear sky could even allow direct observation by experts as early as Thursday evening, thus validating the celebration for the next day.

For the faithful attached to the tradition of visual sighting, the final verdict will be rendered during the "Night of Doubt" on Thursday, March 19. The scientific data indicates that the observation conditions will be met for Ramadan to end everywhere, allowing a common celebration of Eid al-Fitr on Friday morning.