Today, Minister Nasaruddin Umar Leads The Isbat Session To Determine The Beginning Of Ramadan 1446 H

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar (ANTARA)

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar is scheduled to lead the isbat session to determine the beginning of Ramadan 1446 Hijri on Friday, February 28, 2025. This trial will determine the beginning of the fasting month for Muslims in Indonesia.

The Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Abu Rokhmad, said that the session would take place at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religion, Central Jakarta, Friday afternoon.

"As in previous years, this session will be attended by various parties, including representatives of Islamic community organizations, the Indonesian Ulema Council, the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency, Falak experts, as well as representatives from the DPR and the Supreme Court," he said.

The trial will be held in three stages. First, the presentation of the position of the hilal data based on astronomical calculations. Second, the verification of the results of rukyatul hilal from various monitoring points in Indonesia.

"Third, deliberation and decision-making that will be announced to the public," explained Abu Rokhmad.

He appealed to the public to wait for the results of the isbat session and the official government announcement regarding the beginning of Ramadan 1446 Hijri. This is in line with the fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council Number 2 of 2004 concerning the Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan, Syawal, and Dzulhijjah.

"We hope that Muslims in Indonesia can start Ramadan this year together," he added.

Meanwhile, the Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development of the Ministry of Religion, Arsad Hidayat, revealed that based on astronomical calculations, the initial ijtimak of Ramadan 1446 Hijri occurred on Friday, February 28, 2025, at around 07.44 WIB.

On the same day, the height of the hilal throughout Indonesia is estimated to be above the horizon, ranging from 3 degrees 5.91 minutes to 4 degrees 40.96 minutes, with an elongation angle between 4 degrees 47.03 minutes to 6 degrees 24.14 minutes.

"With this criterion, astronomically, there are strong indications that the hilal will be visible. However, the final decision is still waiting for the results of the trial which will be announced by the Minister of Religion," said Arsad.

This astronomical calculation data will be confirmed through the process of monitoring the hilal or rukyatul hilal. The Ministry of Religion, in collaboration with regional offices in various regions, will monitor the hilal at various points throughout Indonesia. The results of this reckoning and rukyat will later become discussed material in an isbat session chaired by the Minister of Religion.