Eid al-Fitr in Côte d’Ivoire
Eid al-Fitr, also called the End of Ramadan, marks the close of the Muslim fasting month. In Côte d’Ivoire it is a legal public holiday, and local Islamic authorities announce its date after assessing the crescent moon.[1][2]
A national holiday under Ivorian law
Côte d’Ivoire’s 1996 public-holiday decree, as amended in 2011, includes the End of Ramadan among civil and religious holidays that are nonworking days, unless a more favorable collective agreement applies. The decree also provides a day off on the following day if Eid falls on a Sunday.[1]
The work suspension applies broadly to workers in agricultural, industrial and commercial establishments, with an exception for services that cannot stop because of the nature of their work. The law does not specify that every bank, shop or transport service must close, so opening hours can vary.[2]
Meaning and how the date is set
Eid al-Fitr celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. Its date follows the Islamic lunar calendar: in Côte d’Ivoire, the Council of Imams, Mosques and Islamic Affairs (COSIM) and the Supreme Council of Imams, Organizations and Sunni Structures (CODISS) have jointly announced the start of Shawwal after the crescent was not sighted in the country.[3]
COSIM says one of its departments prepares the Muslim calendar for Côte d’Ivoire. Announcements from the country’s Islamic authorities are the practical reference for the date.[4]
Communal prayer and public life
Reporting from several Ivorian towns has documented Eid prayers at major mosques and, in some cases, open spaces. In Divo, for example, a large outdoor area beside a mosque hosted the morning prayer; reporting from Daloa described a communal prayer followed by a sermon and invocations for peace. These are documented local examples, not a rule that every community observes the day in the same way.[5][6]
In those reports, sermons addressed themes including gratitude, forgiveness, sharing and social cohesion. Visitors should check locally for arrangements for festive meals, family visits, clothing, transport schedules or shop hours.[5][6]
Frequently asked questions
Is Eid al-Fitr a public holiday in Côte d’Ivoire?
Yes. The amended public-holiday decree lists the End of Ramadan as a nonworking holiday, subject to more favorable collective agreements.[1]
When is Eid al-Fitr observed?
It falls on the first day of Shawwal, after Ramadan. In Côte d’Ivoire, COSIM and CODISS have announced the date based on whether the crescent was sighted in the country.[3]
Is there a substitute day if Eid falls on Sunday?
The 2011 amendment provides a nonworking day on the following day when the End of Ramadan falls on a Sunday.[1]
Will banks, shops and public transport be open?
The law generally suspends work in covered establishments, but allows services that cannot stop to continue. It does not settle the opening hours of every bank, shop or transport operator, so check with the service you plan to use.[2]
Sources and references
Sources used for End of Ramadan (Eid al-Fitr) in Côte d’Ivoire:
- Décret n° 2011-371 du 4 novembre 2011 modifiant et complétant l’article 2 du décret n° 96-205 du 7 mars 1996 déterminant la liste et le régime des jours fériés- Ministère de l’Économie, des Finances et du Budget, Côte d’Ivoire
- Décret n° 96-205 du 7 mars 1996 déterminant la liste et le régime des jours fériés- International Labour Organization, NATLEX
- Côte d’Ivoire-AIP/La fin du Ramadan célébrée vendredi (COSIM/CODISS)- Agence Ivoirienne de Presse
- Departements du COSIM- Conseil supérieur des imams, des mosquées et des affaires islamiques de Côte d’Ivoire
- Côte d’Ivoire-AIP / Ramadan 2026 : une occasion de renforcer la cohésion entre les communautés de la cité Alassane Ouattara de Divo- Agence Ivoirienne de Presse
- Côte d’Ivoire – Aïd el-Fitr 2026 : les musulmans prient pour la paix et pour les autorités à Daloa- Agence Ivoirienne de Presse