January 29, 2026 | 06:03 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia will determine the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijri on February 17, 2026, through an isbat session, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Director General of Islamic Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Abu Rokhmad, said the meeting will be led by the Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, at the ministry's H.M Rasjidi Auditorium in Jakarta.
"The Isbat session will be attended by various parties, representatives of Islamic organizations, representatives of Islamic embassies, the Indonesian Ulema Council, BMKG (Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency), astronomy experts, the House of Representatives (DPR), and representatives of the Supreme Court," he said in a written statement on Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The determination meeting will consist of three stages, which include presenting data on the position of the hilal (new moon) based on astronomical calculations, verifying the results of hilal observations from 37 monitoring points in Indonesia, and deliberating on the decision-making process.
"The decision will be announced to the public," he said.
To determine the start of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr day, the ministry will integrate the hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyah (visual sighting) methods simultaneously.
The rukyah method observes the first crescent moon, with the beginning of the new month determined by if the hilal is seen at a minimum height of 2 degrees.
However, according to MABIMS (Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore), the hilal is seen with a minimum moon height of 3 degrees and a minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees.
Meanwhile, hisab calculates time astronomically and mathematically to determine the beginning of the month. This calculation is based on the positions of celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and earth.
The Director of Islamic Affairs, Arsad Hidayat, added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will send a number of experts to potential rukyah locations to clearly observe the hilal. This year, Arsad also revealed that the IKN Mosque in Nusantara Capital City will be one of the locations for the rukyah observation for the first time since its inauguration.
"This year we have chosen the IKN Mosque, which was inaugurated a while ago, as the location for the rukyah observation," said Arsad.
Read: Govt Adjusts Free Nutritious Meal Program for Ramadan 2026
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Govt Adjusts Free Nutritious Meal Program for Ramadan 2026
5 jam lalu
Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan announces adjustments to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during Ramadan.
Chinese Cultural Week Meets Ramadan in Yogyakarta
8 hari lalu
The implementation of the Chinese Cultural Week in Yogyakarta (PBTY) 2026 coincides with the holy month of Ramadan 1447 H.
Statistics Indonesia Reports Food Inflation Trends Ahead of Ramadan
10 hari lalu
Statistics Indonesia (BPS) explains the inflation trend of a range of food commodities at the beginning of Ramadan from year to year.
Consumption Dominates 67% of Indonesia's Online Loan Debt
16 hari lalu
OJK noted that the volume of online loan distribution is projected to swell during the upcoming Ramadan period.
Indonesia Confirms Stable Basic Commodities Supply Ahead of Ramadan, Eid 2026
26 hari lalu
Zulkifli Hasan has claimed that the national supply of basic commodities is safe and prices have been relatively stable since the celebration of Christmas 2025 and New Year 2026.
Muhammadiyah Declares February 18 as Start Date for Ramadan 2026
25 Oktober 2025
The determination of Ramadan's beginning is based on the meticulous hisab (calculation) conducted by the Muhammadiyah Tarjih and Tajdid Assembly.
The Best Months to Visit Dubai: A Brief Guide
15 Mei 2025
September and April are generally the best times to visit Dubai due to its sunny weather and relatively cool air.
BI: Retail Sales Surge in March 2025 Driven by Ramadan, Eid Demand
16 April 2025
Bank Indonesia (BI) has projected a continued growth in retail sales for March 2025.
How Do Muslim Countries Celebrate Eid al-Fitr?
1 April 2025
When Ramadan ends, Muslims all around the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr with their respective traditions.
7 Essential Tips for Maintaining Your Health After Ramadan
31 Maret 2025
Discover 7 tips to keep your body healthy after Ramadan fasting to regain fitness and health with a balanced lifestyle.
