"However its certainty still has yet to be confirmed in the isbat (confirmation) meeting in the Religious Affairs Ministry, but based on the moons position that has already met the agreed criteria, we predict the isbat meeting will set the Idul Fitri, Syawal first day on Monday (July, 28)," said Head of LAPAN Thomas Djamaluddin here on Sunday.
Thomas added that in most of the regions in Indonesia, the position of the moon had already been above two degrees, hence the Syawal first days confirmation would only need results of "rukyat" or direct observation that would be carried out on Sunday afternoon (July 27).
"Insya Allah (if God permits), there will be confirmation at 18.30 hours Western Indonesia Time. The first of Syawal of this year is probably to be celebrated in the same day," he said.
The isbat meeting will be held by the Religious Affairs Ministry to decide the first of Syawal 1435 Hijriah of the Islamic calendar, on Sunday (July 27) and will be attended by Islamic scholars, astronomers and representatives from the neighboring countries.
According to Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifudin, they will confirm the results of observation on the moons position based on "hisab" (computation) and "rukyat" (direct observation) methods.
Lukman also confirmed that the meeting will not be broadcast live.
"The meeting activities need not be broadcast live but its result will be. I think that would be appropriate enough," he noted.
(A060/H-YH)
Editor: Suryanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
