Indonesia to Begin Ramadan on Sunday

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia will start the first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan on Sunday, April 3, after an isbat (confirmation) meeting was held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, several Islamic organizations, and other related institutions in Jakarta on Friday, April 1.

“Approved by unanimity, the first day of Ramadan will fall on Sunday, April 3, 2022,” said Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, who led the isbat meeting.

According to the ministry, the meeting took account of the initial information based on hisab (astronomical calculations) and the results of the observations of lunar movement or rukyat.

Based on the observations conducted at 101 points, the moon was not sighted in Indonesia.
The isbat was carried out in three stages. The first stage was to explain the position of the crescent at the start of Ramadan 1443 Hijrah, which was based on the results of astronomical calculations. Then the second stage was the lunar movement observations carried out by the ministry’s team at 78 points across Indonesia. This stage was done behind closed doors after the Maghrib prayer. The final stage was the presentation of the results of the isbat meeting, which was held openly.

Also read: Jakarta to Allow Restaurants to Open Late During Ramadan

Present at the meeting were foreign envoys, representatives from some Islamic organizations, the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (Lapan), and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), among others.

Previously, the minister said that during the month of Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to increase devotion through religious ceremonies such as tarawih (evening Ramadan prayers), recitation of the Quran, and alms while following the health protocols. Its implementation must comply with the provisions mentioned in the Minister of Religious Affairs circular No.8/2022 on Guidelines for Worship at Ramadan.

However, civil servants and apparatus are prohibited from hosting or attending breaking the fast events, pre-dawn meals, and Idul Fitri open houses.

(Writer: Mutia Fauzia | Editor: Sabrina Asril)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2022/04/01/19244001/pemerintah-tetapkan-1-ramadhan-1443-h-jatuh-pada-minggu-3-april-2022#utm_source=www.kompas.com&utm_medium=kgbreakingnews.