The Great Mosque of Paris will soon announce the official date for Eid al-Adha 2026, according to reports from French news.

The timing of Eid al-Adha depends on the Islamic lunar calendar, making the date vary each year in the Gregorian calendar used in France. The Great Mosque of Paris, France's largest mosque, holds authority in determining the official observance date for French Muslims. The mosque typically makes this announcement after astronomical observations confirm the sighting of the new moon marking the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah, the final month of the Islamic calendar.

Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, holds profound religious and cultural significance for Muslims worldwide and remains an important occasion for France's estimated 5 to 6 million Muslim inhabitants.

The announcement from the Great Mosque of Paris comes amid ongoing discussions about religious observances in French public life. In recent weeks, the rector of the Great Mosque of Paris made remarks about French secular traditions that drew criticism from right-wing political figures.

For French Muslims, the official date announcement from the Great Mosque of Paris carries practical implications for planning time off work, arranging family celebrations, and coordinating communal prayers at mosques throughout the country.

Sources: Actu.fr, L'Union, MSN