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Muslim community · Reunion Island

Ramadan in Reunion Island: dates, traditions and mosques

Reunion Island has the oldest mosque in France (Noor-e-Islam, 1905) and a Muslim community rooted in the island since the 19th century. Here are the dates of upcoming Ramadans, iftar traditions, the mosques worth knowing and what it all means for visitors.

~4-5% of the population1905 Noor-e-Islam19 Mar 26 Eid al-Fitr 2026

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and the holy month of fasting, has been observed in Reunion Island since the first Indian Muslim traders arrived in the 19th century. The local Muslim community, mostly Z'arabes (descendants of traders from Gujarat), is one of the oldest and best-integrated in France.

Here are the dates of upcoming Ramadans, the island's landmark mosques, iftar traditionsand what changes (or doesn't) if you visit during Ramadan.

Calendar

Dates of upcoming Ramadans

Because the Muslim calendar is lunar, Ramadan moves about 10-11 days earlier each year. The 2027 and 2028 dates are approximate and will be confirmed by sighting of the moon.

Ramadan 2024
Start
10 March 2024
End
9 April 2024
Eid al-Fitr
10 April 2024 (Eid al-Fitr)
Ramadan 2025
Start
1 March 2025
End
29 March 2025
Eid al-Fitr
30 March 2025
Ramadan 2026
Start
17 February 2026
End
18 March 2026
Eid al-Fitr
19 March 2026
Ramadan 2027
Start
~7 February 2027
End
~7 March 2027
Eid al-Fitr
~8 March 2027
Ramadan 2028
Start
~27 January 2028
End
~24 February 2028
Eid al-Fitr
~25 February 2028
Places of worship

3 landmark mosques

Noor-e-Islam Mosque (Saint-Denis)

The oldest mosque in France (Reunion being a French department), founded in 1905. An Indo-Muslim building in the heart of the island's capital, open to visitors outside prayer times. Especially busy during Ramadan (Tarawih prayers, food handouts, communal iftar evenings).

Saint-Pierre Mosque

The centre of Muslim life in the south, with a large prayer hall and a Quranic school next door. Saint-Pierre and its historic centre are home to a large part of the Z'arabes community (descendants of Indian Muslim traders).

Saint-André Mosque

The Muslim hub of the east, with an important Quranic school. Saint-André and Saint-Benoît have a long-established Muslim community linked to migration from India and Mauritius.

An illustration of a mosque and crescent moon symbolising Ramadan, a calm blue palette
Traditions

How Ramadan is observed in Reunion Island

Iftar (إفطار)

The meal that breaks the fast at sunset. In Reunion Island, iftar blends Indian and Creole traditions: dates, samosas, chilli fritters, sweet potato cakes, flavoured soy milk, and mutton or chicken biryani. It's shared with family and neighbours, and sometimes open to non-Muslims.

Suhoor (سحور)

A lighter meal before dawn: bread, fruit, milk, dates, sometimes broth, to get through the day's fast (about 12-14 hours depending on the season).

Tarawih

Optional evening prayers held only during Ramadan, after the night prayer (Isha). Reunion Island's mosques are especially busy and contemplative at this time.

Eid al-Fitr

The festival that ends Ramadan, on the morning of the 1st day of the next month (Shawwal): a large communal prayer, a family meal with traditional dishes (fried dough cakes, Indian halva, biryani), visits to relatives and gifts to those in need (zakat al-fitr).

974's mixed heritage

A model of religious harmony

Catholics, Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and evangelical Christians live side by side in Reunion Island. This harmony is central to the island's identity, and it's why Ramadan, All Saints' Day, the Tamil Cavadee festival and Chinese New Year are all celebrated here with mutual respect.

Living in Reunion Island: everything you need to know
Frequently asked questions

Ramadan in Reunion Island: your questions answered

When is Ramadan 2026 in Reunion Island?
Ramadan 2026 began on 17 February 2026 (in the evening) and ended on 18 March 2026. Eid al-Fitr was celebrated on 19 March 2026. As everywhere in the Muslim world, the exact dates depend on sighting the new moon and can vary by a day depending on the authority (the CFCM, the French Council of the Muslim Faith, or local observation).
When will Ramadan 2027 be in Reunion Island?
Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 7 February 2027 and end around 7 March 2027. Eid al-Fitr would then be celebrated on 8 March 2027. The exact dates will be announced by the local religious commission together with the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), early in the year.
What is the Muslim community like in Reunion Island?
Around 4-5% of Reunion Island's population is Muslim, roughly 35,000-45,000 people according to estimates. Most belong to the 'Z'arabes' community, descended from Indian Muslim traders from Gujarat who arrived in the 19th century, and live mainly in Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre, Saint-André and Saint-Benoît. Harmony between faiths is one of the defining features of Reunion Island.
Can you visit the mosques in Reunion Island?
Yes, several mosques welcome visitors outside prayer times, notably Noor-e-Islam in Saint-Denis (the oldest in France, 1905), now part of the island's cultural heritage and a visitor attraction. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered, a headscarf recommended for women) and ask at the entrance before going in.
Do restaurants close during Ramadan?
No. Muslims are a minority in Reunion Island, and life carries on as normal during Ramadan: restaurants, cafés and supermarkets stay open. Muslim-owned businesses sometimes change their hours (closing at a different time over lunch, or opening after iftar). In Saint-Denis and Saint-André, special Ramadan night markets liven up the evenings with samosa, chilli fritter and biryani stalls.
What does Ramadan change for travellers?
Very little in practice. A few Muslim-owned restaurants may close between 11am and 5pm, and evenings are livelier in neighbourhoods with a large Muslim population (night markets, a festive atmosphere). As a courtesy, avoid eating or drinking conspicuously right outside mosques around midday. Otherwise, it's business as usual.
Are there special events during Ramadan?
Ramadan night markets in Saint-Denis (Place de la Cathédrale, Rue Charles Gounod) and Saint-André are open to everyone, with Indo-Muslim food stalls (samosas, biryani, chilli fritters, sweet potato cakes, fried dough cakes). Some mosques hold open iftar evenings (free, but check with the mosque first). Eid al-Fitr is marked by large communal prayers in public squares.
How are Ramadan's dates calculated?
The Muslim calendar is lunar, about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so Ramadan moves roughly 10-11 days earlier each year. It starts when the new crescent moon is sighted, which can shift the date by a day depending on the region and method (direct observation or astronomical calculation). In France, the CFCM officially announces the start the evening before.
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Article updated 18 October 2026.