Illustrative photo (Credit: João Sousa/ L'Orient-Le Jour)
The office of Shiite cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, as well as the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Deriane of Dar al-Fatwa, both announced on Tuesday that the first day of the month of Ramadan will fall on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Fadlallah’s office added that Friday, March 20, 2026, will therefore mark Eid al-Fitr.
During Ramadan — one of the five pillars of Islam — believers are called upon to abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual relations from dawn until sunset. Muslims are also encouraged to give alms to the poor, known as zakat al-Fitr. Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
The office of Shiite cleric Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah, as well as the Mufti of the Lebanese Republic, Sheikh Abdellatif Deriane of Dar al-Fatwa, both announced on Tuesday that the first day of the month of Ramadan will fall on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Fadlallah’s office added that Friday, March 20, 2026, will therefore mark Eid al-Fitr.
During Ramadan — one of the five pillars of Islam — believers are called upon to abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and sexual relations from dawn until sunset. Muslims are also encouraged to give alms to the poor, known as zakat al-Fitr. Ramadan concludes with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the “Festival of Breaking the Fast.”
