Kapanlagi.com - The month of Ramadan 1446 Hijri is approaching, and Muslims in Indonesia are eagerly awaiting news about when fasting will begin. The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), will hold an Isbat Session on February 28, 2025, to determine the start of Ramadan. After the session, the results will be announced immediately, allowing Muslims to know for sure when 1 Ramadan begins.
However, as in previous years, there is a possibility of differences in the start of Ramadan between the government and Muhammadiyah. Previously, Muhammadiyah has determined that 1 Ramadan falls on March 1, 2025. Meanwhile, the government will wait for the results of rukyatul hilal to confirm the date, so that the community can perform Tarawih prayers after Isha.
So, what is the mechanism of the Isbat Session conducted by the government to determine Islamic holidays, including fasting? And why can there be differences in the determination of the start of Ramadan? Let’s take a look at the interesting review below, summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources, Wednesday (26/2).
Read also: Isbat Session Schedule 2025
1. The Process of Determining the Start of Ramadan
The process of determining the start of Ramadan in Indonesia always attracts attention, and this year the isbat session is ready to draw interest again. In this meeting, various experts and representatives from institutions will gather to ensure the accuracy of the determination of the start of the holy month.
By combining astronomical calculations based on scientific methods to predict the position of the hilal, along with rukyatul hilal which involves direct observation, both approaches will be discussed and verified in depth.
The results will be deliberated to reach an agreement that can be accepted by all Muslims in the country. By prioritizing transparency and openness, it is hoped that the decision made considers both scientific and religious aspects in a balanced manner.
"As in previous years, this session will be attended by various parties, including representatives from Islamic organizations, MUI, BMKG, astronomy experts, as well as representatives from the DPR and the Supreme Court," said the Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Abu Rokhmad, as quoted by ANTARA.
2. Schedule for the Initial Ramadan 2025 Confirmation Meeting: To Be Held on February 28, 2025
The government will hold a Confirmation Meeting to determine the start of Ramadan 1446 H on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Central Jakarta.
This meeting will involve various parties, such as:
- Representatives of Islamic organizations, including Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah.
- The Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for weather analysis during the crescent moon observation.
- Astronomy and celestial experts from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
- Representatives from the House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, and other relevant agencies.
The meeting will take place in three main stages:
- Presentation of astronomical calculation data regarding the position of the crescent moon after sunset on February 28.
- Verification of the crescent moon observation results from various locations across Indonesia.
- Deliberation and decision-making, which will then be announced to the public.
- The Minister of Religious Affairs is scheduled to announce the results of the confirmation meeting that evening.
3. Rukyatul Hilal at 125 Observation Points
To ensure accurate results, the Ministry of Religious Affairs will conduct rukyatul hilal at 125 observation points across Indonesia on February 28, 2025.
Some strategic locations for hilal observation include:
- Aceh (Banda Aceh and Lhokseumawe)
- West Java (Pelabuhan Ratu and Pangandaran)
- East Java (Surabaya and Banyuwangi)
- South Sulawesi (Makassar)
- Papua (Jayapura)
If the hilal is successfully sighted at several points, there is a possibility that the government and Muhammadiyah will set the beginning of Ramadan on the same date. However, if the hilal is not visible, there is potential for a difference in the start of fasting between Muhammadiyah and the government.
4. Potential Differences in the Start of Ramadan 2025
In 2025, we may witness differences in the determination of the start of Ramadan fasting between the Indonesian government and the Muhammadiyah organization. This occurs because both parties use different methods to determine the beginning of the holy month. Muhammadiyah relies on the method of hisab hakiki wujudul hilal, which is an astronomical calculation. This method states that the new month begins when the hilal, or the first crescent moon, is visible above the horizon, without having to wait for direct observation.
Based on this calculation, Muhammadiyah has determined that 1 Ramadan 1446 Hijriah will fall on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government uses a slightly different approach, which combines the methods of hisab and rukyatul hilal. This method involves both astronomical calculations and direct observations of the hilal. If the hilal is sighted on February 28, 2025, then fasting will begin on March 1. However, if the hilal is not visible, the month of Sha'ban will be completed to 30 days, making 1 Ramadan fall on March 2, 2025.
The differences in these determination methods reflect how tradition and science interact in religious practices in Indonesia. Despite the potential for differing dates, both the government and Muhammadiyah share the same goal: to ensure that Muslims begin the holy month in a manner consistent with their respective beliefs.
5. Challenges in Rukyatul Hilal This Year
Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics Research from BRIN, Thomas Djamaludin, revealed that the observation of the crescent moon scheduled for February 28, 2025, is likely to face challenges in most regions of Indonesia. The crescent moon, which marks the beginning of the month of Ramadan, becomes the focus of attention for many parties every year. However, this year, various factors are expected to make the observation more difficult than usual.
One of the main factors causing this difficulty is the crescent moon's very low position in the sky, even though it meets the criteria set by MABIMS, which includes the Ministers of Religious Affairs from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. In addition, the relatively small elongation angle or angular distance between the moon and the sun makes the crescent appear very thin, making it hard to observe with the naked eye. The uncertain weather conditions in various observation locations in Indonesia also add to the challenges of seeing the crescent moon.
If the crescent moon is not successfully observed on the specified date, BRIN indicates that it is highly likely the government will declare the first Ramadan to fall on March 2, 2025. This will be an important decision made to ensure uniformity in starting the holy month of Ramadan across the country, although the challenges in observing the crescent moon remain a primary concern.
"This slightly exceeds the MABIMS criteria, which are a height of more than 3° and an elongation of more than 6.4°, however, in Surabaya, the conditions are different. The moon's position being too close to the sun and its relatively low altitude indicate that it is highly likely the crescent will be difficult to sight. In addition to astronomical factors, weather conditions also pose a challenge. The potential for failing to sight the crescent moon is quite large, as the crescent is very thin, and weather factors are likely to be a significant obstacle," said the Research Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics from BRIN, Thomas Djamaludin.
6. FAQ
1. When will the initial Ramadan 2025 confirmation meeting be held?
The confirmation meeting will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025, at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs Office, Jakarta.
2. Why might the start of Ramadan 2025 differ between the government and Muhammadiyah?
Muhammadiyah uses the true calculation of the visibility of the new moon, while the government uses the calculation method and rukyatul hilal. If the new moon is not visible on February 28, there is a possibility of a difference in the start of Ramadan.
3. If the new moon is not visible, when will the government determine the start of Ramadan?
If the new moon is not visible, the government is likely to complete the month of Sha'ban to 30 days, so that the 1st of Ramadan falls on March 2, 2025.
4. Are there areas in Indonesia that have the potential to see the new moon?
Some areas in western Indonesia, such as Banda Aceh, have a greater chance of seeing the new moon compared to other areas.
5. Why can rukyatul hilal be difficult to perform?
Factors such as the low position of the moon, a small elongation angle, and weather conditions can complicate the direct observation of the new moon.
(kpl/rmt)
Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.
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