Idul Adha Falls on 31 July, Gov’t Announces

Religious Affairs Minister Fachrul Razi gives a press statement on the first day of Zulhijjah after a limited isbat meeting at the Office of Ministry of Religious Affairs, Jakarta, Tuesday (21/7). (Photo by: Ministry of Religious Affairs PR).

The Government on Tuesday announced that this year’s Idul Adha (Day of Sacrifice) will fall on Friday on 31 July.

Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi made the announcement after leading a limited isbat (determination) meeting on the first day of the month of Zulhijjah 1441 H in Jakarta.

According to the Minister, the decision was made after taking into account hisab (astronomical calculations) results on hilal (crescent moon) position and rukyatul hilal (lunar movement observation) reports.

As many as twelve out of 84 observation locations across Indonesia spotted the hilal. Based on rukyatul hilal, the position of the hilal is on the horizon, between 6 degrees 51 minutes and 8 degrees 42 minutes, he added.

“By consensus, the meeting declared that 1 Zulhijjah 1441H falls on Wednesday, 22 July; thereby, Idul Adha 10 Zulhijjah 1441H falls on Friday, 31 July,” he said, Tuesday (7/21).

The isbat meeting, which was held through a video conference, was attended by leaders of Islamic organizations, astronomers from the State Islamic Universities (UIN/IAIN), Chairperson of the National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN), representatives of the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), BOSCHA Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), as well as the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) from Planetarium Jakarta.

The Minister went on to explain that in carrying out the isbat meeting, the Ministry adopted two methods, namely hisab and rukyat methods. According to him, both methods are not contradictory but complementary to each other.

“We hope that through the results of isbat meeting that we have mutually agreed on, all Muslims across the country will celebrate Idul Adha on the same day,” he said.

Idul Adha is the second of two Islamic holidays celebrated worldwide each year (the other being Eid al-Fitr), and considered the holier of the two. It honors the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to Allah’s command. (PR Ministry of Religious Affairs/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas