In the Muslim religion, the Night of Doubt helps to set the start and end date of Ramadan. In France, this event occurs twice at the Grand Mosque of Paris. Here are the dates.
The Night of Doubt is an essential event for Muslims practicing Ramadan. Indeed, it makes it possible to determine the start date of Ramadan, then the end date, by observing the appearance of the new moon. Each year, two nights of doubt are therefore organized by religious authorities.
When is the Night of Doubt to announce the start of Ramadan?
According to the Muslim Theological Council of France (CTMF), Ramadan should start on March 1 and end on March 30, 2025 with Eid-ul-Fitr. But these dates must still be confirmed shortly before the night of doubt. The first should take place the day before the start of Ramadan, i.e. Friday February 28, 2025. During this event, the religious commission will meet to observe the sky and the new moon, taking into account astronomical calculations. The second night of doubt will take place during the new moon which will occur on Saturday March 29, 2025.
In France, during the Night of Doubt, Precise calculations are carried out using optical instruments, notably by the Paris Observatory. The Muslim religious commission always takes into consideration “the results of scientific work on the adoption of calculation, universal astronomical data, data relating to observing the moon, in France and around the world” as well as the “Paris Observatory report” on the lunar crescent, Muslim religious authorities said in a statement last year.
