Government Announces the Beginning of Ramadan Fasting Begins Thursday, February 19

Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar. ANTARA/HO-Kemenag/pri.

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Religion announced that the beginning of Ramadan 2026 fasting or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah begins on Thursday, February 19.

This decision is based on the observation of the crescent from 96 points spread throughout Indonesia and the BMKG's monitoring at 37 points.

The announcement was made directly by the Minister of Religion, Nasaruddin Umar, after the completion of the deliberation on the determination of the Ramadan crescent which was held at the Borobudur Hotel, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 17, at 19.30 WIB.

The government said that the observed crescent was still at minus 2 degrees or below the horizon. Where this figure has not met the Mabims criteria, which should have been high, the crescent was above 3 degrees.

"The position of the crescent moon throughout Indonesia, minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 42 seconds means it is still below the horizon," said Nasaruddin.

The determination of whether the crescent is visible or not refers to the criteria of the visibility criteria of the crescent (imkanur rukyat) which is used by Indonesia together with the MABIMS member countries (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).

"Thus, based on the results of the calculation and the crescent is not visible and agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Thursday, February 19, 2026," he continued.

So the government ensures that the beginning of Ramadan 2026 or 1447 Hijriah will fall on Thursday, February 19. Meanwhile, the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization has officially determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The isbat session was attended by the Ministry of Religion, Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives, BMKG, Islamic organizations and other related elements.