Ramadhan most likely to start on Friday<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Bandung\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Unlike previous years when Indonesian Muslims started fasting for
\nRamadhan on two different dates, they will all likely begin
\nfasting on Friday.<\/p>\n
An astronomer with the Bosscha Observatory in the West Java
\ncapital of Bandung, Dhani Herdiwijaya, said on Wednesday the
\nfirst day of Ramadhan would be Oct. 15.<\/p>\n
According to astronomical observation the sighting of the new
\nmoon would only appear on Thursday night, which will come after
\nMaghrib (dusk prayers), he said.<\/p>\n
"Currently, the moon is barely visible as it hangs 5 degree
\nbelow the horizon," Dhani added.<\/p>\n
He explained that on Oct. 14, the new moon would appear at
\n9:14 a.m. and last for just eight hours, before ascending in the
\nevening and would become visible.<\/p>\n
Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim
\norganization, has decided that based on its hisab (calendar
\ncalculation) method, the start of Ramadhan is Oct. 15.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU) will declare that the first day of the fasting month
\nis Friday too if its rukyah (moon sighting) team can see the new
\nmoon on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
If not, the NU will start Ramadhan on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Ministry of Religious Affairs is slated to host a meeting
\non Thursday evening with the NU, Muhammadiyah and other major
\nIslamic organizations, as well as the Indonesian Council of
\nUlemas (MUI) to determine the start of Ramadhan.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Jakartans will have more time to get their supplies
\nfor Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, as supermarkets across the city will
\nbe allowed to stay open until midnight.<\/p>\n
This policy will be effective for 15 days before and two days
\nafter Idul Fitri, the city's economic department chief Sukry Bey
\nsaid on Wednesday as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
He said that Hero supermarket and French supermarket Carrefour
\nhave shown interest in implementing the policy.<\/p>\n
The Lion Super Indo supermarket chain also said that it would
\nkeep its stores open until midnight.<\/p>\n
"The policy will help a lot of customers, as stores are
\nusually packed during those days," said the chain's senior
\nmarketing manager, Melanie Dharmosetio.<\/p>\n
Most vendors at traditional markets usually leave the capital
\nfor their hometowns a few days before Idul Fitri, leaving
\nJakartans without many alternatives except to hit the
\nsupermarkets for food supplies.<\/p>\n
Melanie said that not all of Super Indo stores would be open
\nduring those days, as the final decision would be left to the
\nindividual owners.<\/p>",
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