The decision on the start of fasting was reached at an isbat (confirmation) meeting on Friday.
“The decision of the isbat session is without any differences. Agree and stipulate 1 Ramadhan to fall on Sunday (April 3, 2022),” Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced at a press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
Based on the results of the hilal (crescent moon) monitoring from 101 points in 34 provinces, the monitoring team did not see the hilal according to the prerequisites set by the ministers of religion of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), namely a hilal height of 3 degrees with an elongation of 6.4 degrees, he informed.
"The height of the hilal in all parts of Indonesia is at a position of 1 degree 6.78 minutes to 2 degrees 10.02 minutes. This is the position of the crescent moon based on calculation," the minister said.
The isbat session was attended by a number of representatives from religious organizations, astronomers, and other invited guests.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs had imposed a restriction on trial participants and all representatives who attended the session were required to follow the health protocols.
In addition, the implementation was carried out both online and offline and the public could watch it directly on the Ministry of Religion's official social media pages.
The isbat session started at 5 p.m. Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Friday and ended with the determination of the beginning of this year's fast.
The activity began with an open exposure on the position of the crescent moon (hilal), based on astronomical data provided by experts.
This was followed by Maghrib prayer in congregation and a closed session.
The isbat trial was announced at a press conference.
Translator: Asep F, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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