France Announces Official Start Date for Ramadan 1447 / 2026
Paris, 17 February 2026 – The French government officially announced on Tuesday, 17 February, the commencement date of the holy month of Ramadan for the year 1447 AH (2026 CE), a decision awaited by millions of Muslim believers across the country.
According to a press release from the Grande Mosquée de Paris, which was circulated later in the evening, the Ramadan fast will begin on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, following the sighting of the lunar crescent that signals the start of the new lunar month.
The announcement, made public after the traditional “Night of Doubt” (Laylat al‑Shakk), aligns with a similar declaration from the religious authorities of Saudi Arabia, who have also set the same date after confirming the visibility of the crescent moon.
Earlier in the day, the Conseil Français du Culte Musulman (CFCM) had proposed a slightly different date, suggesting that astronomical conditions indicated a start of the fast on Thursday, 19 February 2026, based on scientific calculations related to the new‑moon conjunction.
This official confirmation now enables communities, religious associations, and families to plan the rituals and spiritual activities that accompany the month of fasting, prayer, and solidarity.
The Eid al‑Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan, is expected to be celebrated in early April, pending final astronomical and religious verification.
