Ramadan Begins on 6 May: Gov’t

Minister of Religion Affairs at the press conference after holding an Isbat meeting to determine the start of Ramadan,, , Jakarta, Sunday (5/5). (Photo by: Ministry of Religious Affairs PR).

The Indonesian Ministry of Religion Affairs has declared Monday, 6 May 2019 as the first day of this year’s fasting month of Ramadan.

Minister of Religion Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin made the announcement at a press conference after holding an isbat (confirmation) meeting to determine the start of the fasting month.

“All participants of the meeting agreed that the first day of Ramadan falls on Monday 6 May 2019,” Lukman said in Jakarta, Sunday (5/5).

According to the Minister, the consensus was taken after the participants looked at the results of the two methods – hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyat (new moon observations) –  to determine the beginning of the month.  “Both (methods) are equally important and complement each other,” he added.

During the meeting, member of the hisab and rukyat team of the Ministry Cecep Nurwandaya said that on Sunday, 5 May 2019 to coincide with 29 Sya’ban 1440, the height of the hilal (new moon) in Indonesia is between 4°30’59” up to 5°42’59” or 4.5° to 5.7°.

“The calculation then was confirmed by our officers stationed in 102 points in 34 provinces across the country,” Lukman said, adding that there were nine officers who conveyed their testimony under an oath that they saw the hilal.

“With these two aspects, knowing the position of the hilal and hearing the testimony of the officers, all the participants agreed that 1 Ramadan 1440 will fall tomorrow on Monday, 6 May 2019,” the Minister said.

For the record, the meeting was attended by clerics, representatives of Islamic organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, officials from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), as well as representatives of embassies of friendly countries.  (Humas Kemenag/EN)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas