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French Muslim Groups Debate Scientific vs. Traditional Methods for Determining Ramadan Start Date
Saturday 20 April 2019, by
Is it necessary to wait for the appearance of the crescent moon, or are there scientific methods to know the exact date of Ramadan? French Muslim organizations have divergent views on the matter.
Following the example of countries like Turkey, Germany, Italy, or Ireland, each year the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) announces the start dates of Ramadan in advance, using scientific methods. In March, the council estimated that "the first day of the month of Ramadan 1440 will correspond to Monday, May 6, 2019", based, according to them, on "the most accurate scientific data".
Others, however, remain skeptical and prefer to rely on the actual sighting of the moon during the Night of Doubt. This is the case of the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), Musulmans de France, as well as the Grand Mosque of Paris, which meet each year within the Parisian place of worship to decide the exact date of Ramadan.
In Morocco, it is always the Ministry of Habous and Islamic Affairs, through its advisers and nadirs, that serves as the reference for announcing the start of Ramadan. The scientific approach has never been considered by the Moroccan religious authorities.