The Isbat Early Ramadan Session Was Held On April 1

JAKARTA - In less than a month the world's Muslims will enter the holy month of Ramadan. So, when does fasting begin?

The Ministry of Religion has scheduled a hybrid Isbat Session for the Beginning of Ramadan 1443 Hijri, on April 1, 2022, or coinciding with 29 Syakban 1443 Hijri. The trial to determine the beginning of the fast will be held at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium at the Ministry of Religion, MH Thamrin Street, Jakarta.

Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, Kamaruddin Amin, explained that the ISBAT session will be held in a hybrid or combined online and offline manner because it is still in the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

The number of participants present will be limited according to the provisions of the health protocol. Meanwhile, some other participants will participate through teleconference via the internet.

"Although it is more lax than the previous year's provisions, we still have to comply with health protocols", said Kamaruddin in his statement, Monday, March 14.

"For example, the courtroom has been sprayed with disinfectant and the seats are spaced apart. Participants will also be checked for body temperature and must wear masks", he continued.

Meanwhile, Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Guidance (Urais Binsyar) of the Ministry of Religion, Adib said, the isbat session was always held on the 29th of the previous month on the hijri calendar. According to the MUI Fatwa Number 2 of 2004 concerning the Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zulhijah.

The Isbat Session will later involve the Unification Team for the Hijri Calendar of the Ministry of Religion, ambassadors from friendly countries, and representatives of Islamic organizations. This trial will also involve representatives of the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan), the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), and other invitees.

"We also invited the leaders of the MUI and House of Representatives Commission VIII to attend the session", said Adib.

Adib explained that the isbat trial at the beginning of Ramadan will be divided into three stages. First, the presentation of the position of the hilal at the beginning of Ramadan 1443 H based on the results of reckoning (astronomical calculations).

"The presentation was carried out by the Ministry of Religion's Hijri Calendar Unification Team starting at 17.00 WIB. This session is open and will be broadcast via live streaming", explained Adib.

Second, the implementation of the Isbat Session for the Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan 1443 Hijri. This session was held behind closed doors after the Maghrib prayer.

In addition to the reckoning data (information), continued Adib, the isbat trial will also refer to the results of the rukyatul hilal (confirmation) conducted by the Ministry of Religion Team at 78 locations throughout Indonesia.

"In the third stage, the press teleconference of the results of the ISBAT session will be broadcast live by TVRI and the Ministry of Religion's social media", he said.