Ramadan 2021 to Begin April 12 in France, Muslim Council Announces

"Given the most accurate scientific data, with regard to the month of Ramadan: the conjunction (new moon) will take place, God willing, on Monday, April 12, 2021 at 2:31 GMT (3:31, Paris time); the conditions necessary for the visual sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in the world that will be met on the same day from 6:21 PM GMT (7:21 PM, Paris time)," the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) said in a statement.

Thus, the Muslim organization specifies that "the first day of the month of Ramadan 1442 will correspond to Tuesday, April 13, 2021," while the first day of the month of Shawwal 1442 (Eid al-Fitr), it will correspond to Thursday, May 13, 2021.

These forecasts are confirmed by astrophysicist Nidhal Guessoum. According to him, the lunar crescent would be visible through a telescope or optical instruments on Monday, April 12, 2021 (night of doubt) in the Americas, but also in much of Africa. Conversely, the lunar crescent will not be visible either to the naked eye or with a telescope in the "traditional" Muslim world. The first day of the month of Ramadan should therefore be announced for Tuesday, April 13, 2021 in most Muslim countries, but also in Europe, he said.