In order better to understand the social, cultural and even economic implications of this great religious manifestation that concerns almost five million Muslims in France and several hundred million throughout the world, France 24 is mobilizing its news teams to offer exclusive reports and debates on the subject over the whole of the 30-day period.

This exceptional coverage will be provided in partnership with the daily La Croix, which will be publishing a special dossier and several articles during this event of such importance to French Islam.

"The idea is, first, to propose a journey of discovery of the Muslim community in France, the great majority of whom (90% of its members according to the latest polls) celebrate every aspect of Ramadan - religious, cultural and social. We will be going into French neighborhoods and towns that undergo a veritable metamorphosis during Ramadan and interviewing leading French personalities, many of whom have a profoundly secular worldview but still respect this tradition. We will also be looking at the difficulty of fasting in a country where professional life must continue as normal. It will also be an opportunity for us to explain what Ramadan is and the ways in which this period of fasting is practiced in the different Arab and Islamic countries through special reports from our correspondents. We believe it is the role of an international news channel like FRANCE 24 to examine and present these different perspectives on Islam and Muslims today in all their diversity," said Nahida Nakad, Head of News, Arabic Service.

ROADBOOK

On August 21st, FRANCE 24 will launch a roadbook devoted entirely to Ramadan in France. The preparations, portrait of a family where practicing and non-practicing members work out ways of living Ramadan together, and Ramadan "speed dating", as practiced by many young French Muslims when the period of fasting is over. It will also feature a day with Fadela Amara – the French Secretary of State is known for her secular and anti-conformist views but respects the fast every year.
This series of reports from a number of French towns is a journey into the heart of French Islam, seen from some unexpected angles.

Aired: weekly, Friday night in “Live from Paris” from 20h10 (starting Friday, August 20th).
On the Arabic channel, every Thursday from August 20th at 17h45 and 21h15 (repeats during the weekend).

THE NIGHT OF DESTINY

Continuing this journey on FRANCE 24's Arabic channel: a major debate focusing on Ramadan will be broadcast on the Night of Destiny from the Grand Mosque in Lyon for the Arabic channel and from Paris for the French and English channels. For this 26th day of fasting, the high point of Ramadan, numerous personalities will meet in the studio to analyze, comment on and discuss the best reports in the series.

Aired: September 15th or 16th at 19h10 depending on the official start of Ramadan (August 20thor 21st).

CULTURE

In CULTURE, numerous reports will look at cultural events associated with Ramadan, including concerts, films and TV series produced during this time of the year in France and in Muslim countries.

Aired: every day at 09h45 and 00h45 (multidiffusion).
Arabic channel: every Wednesday at 15h20, Sunday at 15h15 (multidiffusion)

ON FRANCE24.COM

On FRANCE24.com, in three languages (French, English, Arabic), web users all over the world will be invited to share their comments and personal experience of Ramadan. A special dossier will be devoted to the theme, providing free access to all the reports and debates, along with a practical guide to Ramadan.

REPORTERS

REPORTERS, the program showcasing reports from France 24's senior correspondents, will be presenting a long-format report at the end of September on the theme of Ramadan as celebrated in France and throughout the world.

Aired: Friday, September 18th at 10h10
Repeats: Saturday, September 19th at 9h10 and 22h40; Sunday, September 20th at 11h40, 14h40 and 21h10; Monday, September 21st at 11h40; Tuesday, September 22nd at 14h10; Wednesday, September 23rd at 16h10; Thursday, September 24th at 18h10.

The news bulletins, REPORTS and THE WEEK IN FRANCE (multidiffusion) will also be providing day-to-day coverage of Ramadan in France and the four corners of the planet.

Reports and analyses from FRANCE 24 correspondents in Indonesia, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Saudi Arabia and Lebanon, will add an extra dimension to this exceptional coverage.

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About FRANCE 24:
FRANCE 24 is the first French international news channel that offers a French perspective and sensibility on world events. It broadcasts on a 24/7 basis on three channels, in French, English and Arabic, in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the east coast of the US.. FRANCE 24 can be accessed by cable, satellite, DSL and mobile. The website www.france24.com is available in three languages (English, French, and Arabic).

Contacts FRANCE 24:

Nathalie Lenfant – +33 (0)1 73 01 24 11 - nlenfant@france24.com

Damien Amadou – +33 (0)1 73 01 24 31 - damadou@france24.com