Some Muslims In Aceh Just Fasted Ramadan Today, April 14

Chairman of the Ulama Consultative Assembly (MPU) of West Aceh Regency. Teungku Abdurrani Adian. (Teuku Dedi Iskandar/Antara)

JAKARTA - Some Muslims in several districts/cities in Aceh reportedly began fasting the holy month of Ramadan 1442 Hijri on Wednesday, April 14, based on the decision of several scholars dayah or boarding school.

"Because there is no hilal visible in parts of Sumatra Island, including in Aceh on rukyatul (vision) hilal on Monday, April 12, 2021, the dayah scholars agreed that 1 Ramadan 1442 Hijri falls on Wednesday, April 14, 2021", said Chairman of the Ulama Consultative Assembly (MPU) West Aceh District Teungku Abdurrani in Meulaboh, reported Antara, Wednesday, April 14.

According to him, based on the vision (rukyatul hilal) conducted simultaneously in the country on Monday, April 12, out of a total of 87 locations set as the location of rukyatul hilal, only three locations were reported to be visible, among them in parts of East Java Province, including in Jember.

In other locations in Indonesia, including throughout Sumatra island and seven locations in Aceh Province said this cleric, hilal is not visible.

Therefore, then the dayah scholars in Aceh agreed to complete the month of Sya'ban to 30 days, so that the beginning of the 1st of Ramadan 1442 Hijri falls on Wednesday, April 14, 2021.

According to him, there is nothing in the Hijri calendar in a month there is the 31st, but there are 29 or 30 days in each month.

So the decision of the scholars to determine the beginning of Ramadan on April 14, 2021, is considered appropriate and by the ordinances and instructions contained in the teachings of Islam, he said.

"So on this Tuesday night, the implementation of Tarawih Prayer has just begun", Teungku Abdurrani said, adding.