Ramadan 2025 begins on March 1 and ends on March 30 in France. Every year, the dates change and you're wondering why? We'll explain!
The Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, with twelve months of 29 or 30 days each, totalling around 354 days per year. This makes it about 11 days shorter than the solar Gregorian calendar of 365 days. As a result, the dates of Ramadan areten days later each year than in the Gregorian calendar. This difference explains why Ramadan can take place in different seasons over the years.
The precise determination of the beginning and end of Ramadan is traditionally based on visual observation of the crescent moon, marking the start of the new month. This practice, known asthe "night of doubt", involves scanning the sky to confirm the appearance of the crescent moon. This observation is traditionally carried out with the naked eye on the "Night of Doubt", the last night of the month of Sha'ban. If the crescent is visible, Ramadan begins the next day; if not, Sha'ban counts as an extra day, and fasting begins the day after. However, this method can be influenced by meteorological or geographical conditions, making observation difficult.
To compensate for these uncertainties, precise astronomical calculations are now used to predict lunar phases years in advance. Countries such as Turkey and Malaysia have officially adopted this method of calculation to determine the dates of Ramadan. In France, since 2013, the Conseil français du culte musulman(CFCM) has also been using these calculations to announce fasting dates, offering predictability to the faithful.
For the year 2025, the"night of doubt" is scheduled for Friday February 28 from 6 pm. If observation or calculations confirm the appearance of the lunar crescent, Ramadan will begin on Saturday, March 1. The end of fasting is anticipated for Saturday March 29, subject to confirmation during a second "night of doubt". The following day marks the celebration ofEid el-Fitr, the feast of the breaking of the fast, a time of rejoicing and sharing for the Muslim community.
The variability of Ramadan dates is therefore intrinsically linked to the lunar nature of the Islamic calendar, reflecting an age-old tradition that continues to punctuate the spiritual lives of millions of Muslims around the world.
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