End of Ramadan: observation of the moon, astronomical calculations… when will Eid-el-Fitr be celebrated this year ?

After a month of fasting from sunrise to sunset, Muslims will celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, a celebration of breaking the fast, marking the end of Ramadan. It could fall on April 9 or 10, 2024.

The most important period of the year began on Monday March 11 for Muslims. For a month, tens of thousands of believers were invited to abstain from drinking, eating, smoking and having sexual relations, from dawn until sunset.

Ramadan ends with Eid-el-Fitr, the celebration of breaking the fast, which takes place on the first day of the month of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Muslim calendar that follows that of Ramadan.

The method of observing the moon

The Grand Mosque of Paris, which is based on the observation of the moon, announced this April 2 in a press release that the night of doubt would take place on April 8 from 6 p.m.

𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄́ | La commission religieuse chargée de déterminer et d’annoncer la date de l’#Aïd al-Fitr 2024-1445/H en France se réunira au soir du 29e jour de Ramadan, le lundi 8 avril 2024 à 18h, après la prière d’Al-Asr, à la Grande Mosquée de Paris :… pic.twitter.com/N9DwdM4j9U

— Grande Mosquée de Paris (@mosqueedeparis) April 2, 2024

Observation of the moon is essential to determine the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr. Thus, if at the end of this gathering, our natural satellite is seen in the sky, the month of Ramadan ends the next day. Otherwise, you will have to fast for one more day

One day later according to the French Council of Muslim Worship

For its part, the French Council of Muslim Worship (CFCM) prefers to refer to astronomical calculations which can predict the date of Eid-el-Fitr several days in advance ;advance. In a press release, published this Monday, April 1, 2024, the CFCM announced that Ramadan would end on April 10, 2024.

Communiqué: Mercredi  10 avril 2024 est le jour de l’Aïd El Fitr de l’année 1445H .
Zakat El Fitr : 9 euros / personne.

Conformément aux données scientifiques, la conjonction de la nouvelle lune du mois de Chawal 1445H aura lieu le 8 avril 2024 à 20h21 (heure de Paris). Selon…

— CFCM (@CfcmOfficiel) April 1, 2024

Its calculations, based on "scientific data" and "calculation criteria adopted by the CFCM in 2013" announce that "Wednesday 10  April 2024 is the day of Eid-ul-Fitr in the year 1445H."

Up to 3 days

The celebration of Eid-el-Fitr traditionally begins with a morning of communal prayer at the mosque, wearing new clothes.

This can also be an opportunity for Muslims to get together with loved ones to share large meals and give each other gifts. Eid-ul-Fitr can last up to three days.