Ramadan to Start Sunday, Gov’t Announces

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Friday (04/01)

Ministry of Religious Affairs Friday (04/01) held an isbat (confirmation) meeting with several Muslim mass organizations and related institutions to the determine the first day of the fasting month of Ramadan.

After carrying out a rukyatul hilal process or the determining of the first day of Ramadan by observing the new moon, during the meeting it was agreed that Ramadan 1, 1443 Hijriyah will start on Sunday, April 3, 2022.

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas expressed hope that with the result of the Isbat meeting, all Muslims in Indonesia can carry out Ramadan fasting together.

“Hopefully, it will be a symbol as well as a reflection of the togetherness of Indonesian Muslims and to become a concept of togetherness of us all as fellow children of the nation to look to the future of Indonesia and make this nation better,” he added.

Earlier, Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Director of Islamic Affairs and Sharia Coaching delivered a report that based on the hisab method (astronomical calculations), the position of the hilal (crescent moon) is above the horizon, precisely at the position of 1 degree 6.78 minutes to 2 degrees 10.02 minutes.

Meanwhile, based on the rukyat method (new moon observation) at 101 sites in 34 provinces throughout Indonesia, the hilal was not spotted yet.

The result of the isbat meeting was stipulated on Ministerial Decree of Minister of Religious Affairs Number 324 of 2022 on Ramadan 1, 1443 Hijriah/2022. (PR of Ministry of Religious Affairs/JW/UN) (AP/EP)