The Ministry of Religious Affairs is gearing up to monitor the early sighting of the Ramadan crescent moon on February 28, 2025, at 125 locations across Indonesia. This annual event, known as rukyatul hilal, involves experts in astronomy and Islamic scholars collaborating with various government and religious organizations to determine the start of the holy month of Ramadan.
Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Abu Rokhmad, revealed that the observation will take place simultaneously at 125 points nationwide on the specified date. The calculation based on astronomical data indicates that the conjunction before the start of Ramadan 1446 Hijriah is expected to occur on Friday, February 28, 2025, around 07:44 AM local time. During the sighting day, the crescent moon’s altitude across Indonesia is projected to range from 3° 5.91’ to 4° 40.96’, with an elongation angle between 4° 47.03’ to 6° 24.14’.
Following the observations of the crescent moon in various regions, along with the astronomical data on its position, the findings will be deliberated upon during the isbat session. The decision reached during this session will serve as the basis for determining the official start of Ramadan 1446 Hijriah in Indonesia.
Convening of the Isbat Session
The isbat session is scheduled to take place at the Auditorium H.M. Rasjidi, located at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office on Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 6 in Jakarta. The session will be attended by a diverse group of individuals, including representatives from friendly foreign countries, members of the Indonesian House of Representatives, the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
In addition to these participants, several related institutions such as the National Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Bosscha Observatory at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and the Jakarta Planetarium will also be present. Expert astronomers from Islamic organizations, members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab Rukyat team, as well as leaders from Islamic organizations and Islamic boarding schools, will join in the proceedings.
Abu Rokhmad emphasized that the isbat session exemplifies the synergy between the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Islamic organizations, and relevant institutions in determining the start of the Islamic lunar month. The decisions made during this session are expected to provide guidance for the Muslim community to observe the month of Ramadan with unity and devotion.
Please note that the isbat session is a crucial moment in the Islamic calendar, as it marks the official confirmation of the beginning of the sacred month of Ramadan. The insights shared and decisions made during this session have a significant impact on the religious practices and observances of millions of Muslims in Indonesia and around the world.
