Indonesia Declares February 19 as First Day of Ramadan 1447 Hijri After Isbat Meeting
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially declared Thursday, February 19, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 Hijri, following an Isbat (confirmation) meeting held in the capital on Tuesday.
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar announced the decision during a press conference, stating, “The results of the Isbat meeting have determined that the 1st of Ramadan 1447 Hijri falls on Thursday.”
The government’s decision differs from that of Muhammadiyah—one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations—which had earlier set the start of Ramadan for Wednesday, February 18. The difference arises from the distinct methods used to determine the beginning of the lunar month.
Cecep Nurwendaya, a member of the ministry’s moon-sighting team, explained that during observations, the position of the hilal (crescent moon) in Indonesia ranged between minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 43 seconds and minus 0 degrees 55 minutes 41 seconds. The elongation was recorded between 0 degrees 56 minutes 23 seconds and 1 degree 53 minutes 36 seconds.
Under the MABIMS criteria—adopted by the Religious Affairs Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore—the hilal must reach a minimum height of 3 degrees with an elongation of 6.4 degrees to be officially recognized. As these conditions were not met, the government concluded that Ramadan would commence on Thursday.
The Isbat meeting, which began at 4:30 p.m., incorporated both astronomical calculations (hisab) and physical moon sightings (rukyat) from observation points nationwide.
According to Arsad Hidayat, Director of Islamic Affairs and Sharia Development at the ministry, the process demonstrates collaboration between government authorities, Muslim scholars, and scientists to ensure that the start of Ramadan is determined accurately and in accordance with both scientific standards and Islamic law.
The Indonesian government regularly convenes Isbat meetings to determine the beginning of the Islamic months of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhu al-Hijjah.
