The end of Ramadan is fast approaching. To find out the exact date of the end of this holy month, the Grande Mosque de Paris is organizing a night of doubt.
Muslims around the world have just spent a holy month, prayers and fasting, on the occasion of Ramadan. The end of it is celebrated with the feast of Eid El-Fitr, but the date is not fixed. Indeed, Ramadan corresponds to the ninth month of the lunar calendar of Islam. It is not linked to the calendar we use on a daily basis. So, to know the exact date of the end of Ramadan, Muslims are invited to observe the sky during the night of doubt in order to see if the new moon is observable in the sky. This corresponds to tradition, organized in particular to the large Paris Mosque. If the crescent moon is observable, Ramadan is finished. Otherwise, it lasts one more day.
But many Muslims rather prefer the astronomical method, based on calculations and not observation. This makes it possible to establish that the moon will be clearly visible in the sky on March 29, which therefore corresponds to the end of Ramadan. In general, the observation method makes it possible to determine the same date as the astronomical method, but poor visibility of the sky, due to clouds or pollution, can prevent the moon. That said, the sky will be released last night on a large part of France, with the exception of the Côtes de la Manche and the North Sea.
When will the night of doubt take place?
The Great Mosque of Paris formalized the date of March 29, 2025 as the night of doubt via a press release Broadcast on March 24, which corresponds to the 29th day of the monthly lunar month in the Hegian calendar. She “remains attached to this tradition of the night of doubt, which preserves the unity of Muslims at the threshold of the blessed month of Ramadan, and allows them to prepare for it” and to add that “Eid will take place on Sunday March 30, 2025 or Monday March 3125”.
This tradition comes from “hadith”, an oral declaration of the prophet. He would have said, “Do not go for it when you see the lunar crescent and break the fast when you see it too.” It is important to know that a night of doubt is also organized to find out the start date of Ramadan. The practice of observation of the moon during the night of doubt is therefore anchored in Islamic tradition for the early days. Religious scholars and competent authorities come together in mosques and community centers to monitor the sky after sunset. The night of doubt also strengthens community ties, because Muslims meet in mosques and Islamic centers to participate in the observation of the moon together. This is an opportunity for the community to come together, pray together and strengthen their spiritual connection.