French Muslims Look to Science to Determine Start of Ramadan
France's Muslim leaders have agreed to use modern astronomy to determine the start of the holy month of Ramadan and other Islamic holidays.
The French Muslim Council (CFCM) voted on Thursday to start using astronomical calculations to set the date rather than relying on the naked eye to sight the new crescent moon.
Ramadan traditionally begins the morning after the sighting, which has in the past been delayed by a day or even two by weather.
France's five million Muslims are the largest Islamic minority in Europe.
Turkey began using scientific calculations to set the start of Ramadan decades ago. Muslims in Germany, who are mostly of Turkish origin, and those in Bosnia also use this method.
Muslim minorities elsewhere in Europe often start Ramadan according to its beginning in their countries of origin.
Source: Yahoonews
Ramadan traditionally begins the morning after the sighting, which has in the past been delayed by a day or even two by weather.
France's five million Muslims are the largest Islamic minority in Europe.
Turkey began using scientific calculations to set the start of Ramadan decades ago. Muslims in Germany, who are mostly of Turkish origin, and those in Bosnia also use this method.
Muslim minorities elsewhere in Europe often start Ramadan according to its beginning in their countries of origin.
Source: Yahoonews
