Potential Differences Of The Beginning Of Ramadan Between The Government And Muhammadiyah, Ministry Of Religion: Wait For The Results Of The Isbat Session As A Guide

JAKARTA - The Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Guidance of the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Adib revealed that there is a potential difference in the beginning of Ramadan between the government's decree and the Muhammadiyah Central Executive.

He asked the Indonesian people to wait for the results of the isbat trial in determining when the 2022 Ramadan fast will start.

"The results of this ISBAT trial will be immediately informed to the public so that it can be used as a guideline," said in a written statement received in Jakarta, Thursday, March 31, cited from Antara.

He said the potential difference in the beginning of Ramadan 1443 Hijri could occur given the different determination methods used. Muhammadiyah will start Ramadan on April 2, 2022, while others have the potential to start on April 3, 2022.

The government will hold an isbat session on April 1 to coincide with 29 Shaban 1443 Hijri. The isbat session was held by the Ministry of Religion, as mandated by the fatwa of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) No. 2 of 2004 concerning the Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zulhijah.

Adib said the isbat session was attended by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), representatives of Islamic organizations, the House of Representatives (DPR), a number of ambassadors from friendly countries, as well as related ministries and institutions.

The Ministry of Religion acts as a facilitator for scholars, experts, and scholars to consult to determine the beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zulhijah.

"Isbat meetings have been a means of exchanging views of scholars, scholars, and experts regarding the determination of the beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zulhijah. The results of this isbat trial will be immediately informed to the public so that they can be used as guidelines," he said.

The Head of Sub-Directorate for Hisab Rukyat and Sharia at the Ministry of Religion Ismail Fahmi explained that on the day of the rukyat or monitoring, the height of the new moon in all parts of Indonesia was already above the horizon, ranging from one degree 6.78 minutes to two degrees 10.02 minutes.

The height of the hilal became the basis for Muhammadiyah to use the Hisab Wujudul Hilal method to determine the start of Ramadan to coincide with April 2, 2022.

The Ministry of Religion determines the beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Zulhijah based on the reckoning and rukyat methods. The results of astronomical calculations or reckoning, are used as initial information which is then confirmed through the rukyat method (monitoring in the field).

The position of the new moon in the range of 1-2 degrees is quite crucial in the context of rukyat or monitoring. Moreover, the new criteria have been agreed by MABIMS (Ministers of Religion of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).

MABIMS has determined the beginning of the determination of the Hijri month, namely the position of the new moon at sunset is three degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees. "In this context, there is a potential difference in the beginning of Ramadan," he said.

However, the determination of the start of Ramadan will be announced when the results of the isbat trial.

"The isbat trial will wait for the report on the results of monitoring the new moon, whether anyone has seen it or not. Furthermore, the trial participants will discuss to determine the start of Ramadan. So, let's wait for the announcement of the results of the isbat trial," he concluded.