"The isbat meeting decided that the first day of Ramadan 1445 Hijri to fall on Tuesday," Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated at the press conference to report the isbat meeting resolution on Sunday (March 10).
As the first day of Ramadan has been determined, Indonesian Muslims can start performing their evening tarawih prayers on Monday.
The meeting started at 5 p.m. Jakarta time (UTC +7) during which experts informed the assembly regarding the hilal, or new crescent moon, observation, and sighting according to the available astronomical data.
The assembly decided on the first day of Ramadan by considering information gathered by the hisab method that calculates the start of the lunar month by mathematics and astronomy and the rukyat method, or on-site confirmation of the moon sightings.
Related news: Ministry distributes 10,000 canned fish in Yogyakarta ahead of Ramadan
The Isbat meeting was attended by representatives of religious organizations, astronomers, House of Representatives (DPR) members, and foreign envoys.
Meanwhile, in contrast with the government, the major Muslim organization Muhammadiyah declared the month of Ramadan to start on Monday. Muhammadiyah uses a different method to determine the first day of the new lunar month.
While the government adheres to the common criteria of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), which recognizes a new lunar month after the moon reaches a certain degree over the horizon, Muhammadiyah determines that the new month starts as long as the new moon is visible.
It means that members of Muhammadiyah begin their fast and offer their evening tarawih prayer one day earlier than the government's determined date.
Related news: Food supplies are safe ahead of Ramadan: Trade Minister
Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Copyright © ANTARA 2024
