Ramadan in France to Begin April 24, Astronomical Calculations Show

Thus, on Thursday, April 23, the crescent moon will be visible to the naked eye; which implies a start of the fasting month from tomorrow, Friday, April 24. According to the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF) "the conjunction of the new moon will take place on April 23, 2020 at 2:26 GMT (4:26 Paris time), and the new crescent moon will be visible on the same day at 5:43 PM GMT". Consequently, "the first day of the month of Ramadan will be Friday, April 24, 2020," affirms the CTMF.

As for the French Council of the Muslim Faith (CFCM), it must wait this Thursday evening for the lunar observation, as it has again confirmed at the beginning of this week. Thus, a meeting of the major federations must take place tonight to decide on the date of the fast, which will take place this year under exceptional circumstances.

For the record, all mosques in France will be closed during the sacred month and the Tarawih prayers will therefore not be able to take place there. We will have to wait at least until June for a decision on whether or not to open them.