Ramadan 2026 in France: two dates and a controversy?

The countdown is on for the next sacred month. Due to the lunar cycle, about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year, Ramadan continues to move up in the calendar. For the year 2026, astronomical projections agree on a 29-day month, but confusion reigns over the start date, recalls Saphirnews.

According to the unified Muslim calendar, based on standard astronomical data (notably followed by Turkey), the first day of fasting should correspond to Thursday, February 19, 2026, ending on Thursday, March 19. The Eid al-Fitr holiday would thus be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026.

However, a discordant voice has been heard in France. The Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF), a fervent defender of scientific calculation, has surprised observers. While the body agrees on the date of Eid (March 20), it has announced the start of Ramadan for Wednesday, February 18, one day earlier than the other astronomical forecasts. This lack of concordance between proponents of the same scientific method is a rare occurrence that raises questions.

For the majority of believers in France, attached to the traditional method, these dates remain indicative. Official bodies, such as the Grand Mosque of Paris, will wait for the "Night of Doubt," on the 29th day of the month of Sha’aban, to observe the sky with the naked eye. If the crescent moon is visible, fasting will begin the next day; otherwise, the month of Sha’aban will be completed to 30 days.