Beda Lebaran, Menag asks the public to continue to uphold unity
JAKARTA - Minister of Religion (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar appealed to all Indonesian people to continue to uphold the spirit of togetherness and unity even though they celebrate Eid al-Fitr at different times.
The government through the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) RI officially determined that 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah fell on Saturday, March 21, 2026. On the other hand, there are various currents that determine that Idul Fitri 1447 H will be held on Friday, March 20, 2026, including Muhammadiyah.
"Alhamdulillah, this is the maximum result we can achieve and for those who are different from the government's decision or the decision of this Isbat Session, there should be no distance between us. Our friends are as fellow citizens, fellow Muslims," said the Minister of Religion as quoted by ANTARA.
The Minister of Religion also invited all Muslims in Indonesia not to make this difference a thing that divides the unity of religious people in Indonesia.
"Hopefully this can be a symbol of the unity of Muslims in Indonesia, which also reflects our unity as fellow citizens in welcoming a better future," said Nasaruddin Umar.
In line with the Minister of Religion, Deputy Chairperson of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Cholil Nafis invited all people who will still fast tomorrow or who have already gone on vacation to maintain tolerance in daily activities.
"Let's maintain our togetherness during the month of Ramadan which is conducive to our worship and devotion, we will maintain it in the next 11 months," said Cholil Nafis.
Furthermore, the Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Marwan Dasopang, appreciated the government's efforts to combine the falakiyah calculation method to be confirmed again at 117 points to ensure that Muslims in Indonesia can celebrate safely and comfortably.
"Alhamdulillah, for us to be united and united, if there are people who understand and believe in deciding 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah tomorrow Friday, it can be tolerated and this does not become a difference between us as Muslims and let's keep the brotherhood well," said Marwan Dasopang.
It is known that the Government has set 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, because in terms of calculation, the height of the crescent in all regions of Indonesia is still below the horizon, with a height between 0⁰ 54' 27" (0.91⁰) to 3⁰ 07' 52" (3.13⁰), and the angle of elongation is at 4⁰ 32' 40" (4.54⁰) to 6⁰ 06' 11" (6.10⁰).
Referring to the criteria of the Ministers of Religion of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), the beginning of the Hijri month is determined if the crescent has a minimum height of 3° and the elongation or angular distance between two celestial bodies reaches 6.4°.