Ramadan 2023 Dates Announced for France by Muslim Theological Council

While several Muslim federations have announced a probable date for the month of Ramadan 1444/2023 to be confirmed during the Night of Doubt scheduled for Wednesday, March 22, the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) has announced the dates of the beginning and end of the month of fasting.

The Council announced the first day of the month of Ramadan on Thursday, March 23, 2023. "Given the most accurate scientific data, with regard to the month of Ramadan, the conjunction (new moon) will take place, insha’Allah, on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 5:23 PM GMT (6:23 PM Paris time). The necessary conditions for the visual sighting of the new crescent of Ramadan in the world will be met, insha’Allah the next day, Wednesday, March 22, from 7:06 AM GMT (8:06 AM Paris time)," the Council said in a statement released on Wednesday and quoted by Saphirnews.

The CTMF also announces the date of Eid al-Fitr (first day of the month of Shawwal 1444), marking the end of the month of Ramadan, "on Friday, April 21, 2023". As for the following month after Ramadan, "the conjunction (new moon) will take place, insha’Allah, on Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 4:13 AM GMT (5:13 AM Paris time)," the body specifies, adding that "the necessary conditions for the visual sighting of the new crescent of Shawwal in the world will be met, insha’Allah on the same day, Thursday, April 20, from 7:19 PM GMT (8:19 PM Paris time)". The month of Ramadan should therefore last 29 days this year.