The start of Ramadan 1446 H is set for March 1, 2025

JAKARTA, KOMPAS - The government, through the Isbat Meeting held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Friday (28/2/2025), determined that 1 Ramadan 1446 Hijri falls on Saturday (1/3/2025). Thus, all Indonesian Muslims will begin observing the Ramadan fast together starting tomorrow.

This was decided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) after conducting the observation of the new moon, or rukyatulhilal, for the beginning of Ramadan on February 28, 2025, which coincided with 29 Sha'ban 1446 AH. The observation was carried out at 125 locations across Indonesia, from Papua to Aceh.

May the quality of our fasting improve this Ramadan.

In this determination, the Ministry of Religious Affairs employed two methods, namely hisab (calculation) and rukyat (direct observation) at 134 locations spread across various regions in Indonesia. The altitude of the new moon across all regions in Indonesia was above the horizon, ranging between 3 degrees and 4 degrees. Meanwhile, the elongation angle ranged between 4 degrees and 6 degrees.

"The crescent moon has been sighted in the westernmost position, Aceh. Therefore, it has been decided tonight that the 1st of Ramadan 1446 Hijri falls on tomorrow, March 1, 2025," said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar at the Haji Mohammad Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Jakarta, Friday (28/2/2025).

Nasaruddin extended his wishes for a devout observance of fasting to Muslims. However, he emphasized that Indonesia is a pluralistic nation, and therefore, the month of Ramadan should be interpreted as a moment to strengthen diversity among people of different religions.

"For those who are fasting, may the quality of our fasting improve during this Ramadan, and for our fellow citizens who are not fasting, we kindly ask for their consideration towards those around them who are fasting," said the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque.

Those involved in the isbat session included representatives of friendly nations' ambassadors, the Chair of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), as well as several related institutions such as the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), the Bosscha Observatory of the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and the Jakarta Planetarium.

In addition, experts in astronomy from Islamic community organizations, members of the Hisab Rukyat Team of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, as well as leaders of Islamic organizations and Islamic boarding schools also participated in the isbat session.

MUI Chairman Anwar Iskandar hopes that Muslims throughout Indonesia can undergo this Ramadan with full blessings with devotion during worship. Not only prioritizing the piety of worship, people must also cultivate social piety for the sake of religious harmony in Indonesia.

"Of course, in between the fasting services, there are still many of our brothers and sisters who need a touch of help from us, both those who are fasting during the fasting iftar and our brothers who need other help," said Anwar.

Meanwhile, the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) 1446 Muhammadiyah has set 1 Ramadhan 1446 to fall on Saturday (1/3/2025). The determination still refers to the results of the true hisab wujudul hilal. Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijriah is set for March 31, 2025.

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) 2025 Miladiyah calendar is the same, but with the note that the decision on the beginning of the Hijri month is still waiting for the results of rukyat. All Hijri calendars are compiled based on hisab with the determination of the beginning of the month determined based on different criteria for the beginning of the Hijri month. The Ministry of Religion and NU use the new MABIMS criteria.