Yogyakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 The Hisab Rukyat Board (BHR) of the Special\nRegion of Yogyakarta (DIY) has stated that the crescent moon (hilal)\nmarking the beginning of Ramadhan 1447 Hijriah is impossible to observe\nin the region, as it remains below the horizon at sunset on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
BHR DIY Chairman Mutoha Arkanuddin explained that, based on\nastronomical data from the Moon Observation Post (POB) at Syekh Bela\nBelu hill in Parangtritis, Bantul Regency, the crescent moon\u2019s altitude\nwas recorded at minus 1.5 degrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor Yogyakarta at Syekh Bela Belu hill, the crescent moon\u2019s altitude\nis minus 1.5 degrees, meaning it is still below the horizon when the sun\nsets. This means the moon sets first, making it practically impossible\nto observe the crescent,\u201d said Mutoha when contacted in Yogyakarta on\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Mutoha noted that the crescent moon\u2019s position also fails to meet the\nMABIMS criteria (Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam,\nIndonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) for determining the start of\nRamadhan, which requires a minimum altitude of 3 degrees with an\nelongation angle of 6.4 degrees.<\/p>\n
Although astronomically the crescent moon is confirmed to be below\nthe horizon, Mutoha said the hilal observation (rukyatul hilal) was\nstill carried out in accordance with Indonesia\u2019s Hijriah calendar\nmechanisms.<\/p>\n
The observation was conducted because the calendar indicated the 29th\nof Sha\u2019ban, necessitating the exercise for reporting purposes to the\ncentral government.<\/p>\n
The rukyatul hilal activity organised by the Yogyakarta Regional\nOffice of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) was centred at the\nPOB at Syekh Bela Belu hill in Bantul on Tuesday afternoon, in\ncollaboration with BHR DIY.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever the outcome, whether already known or not, the important\nthing is that there is a reporting mechanism from the observers, as the\ngovernment adopts all criteria, both computational (hisab) and\nobservational (rukyat),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
According to Mutoha, the hilal observation activity in Yogyakarta\nalso serves as a platform for astronomical education, including\npresentations on crescent moon visibility theory and improving skills in\nusing observation instruments among participants from university\nstudents, school pupils, and astronomy communities.<\/p>\n
In addition to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency\n(BMKG) and several Islamic organisations, a number of astronomy clubs\nand representatives from universities in Yogyakarta were also\ninvited.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we convey is more educational and informational in nature. As\nfor the information itself, we have already informed everyone that it is\nimpossible to see the crescent moon today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Head of the Islamic Religious Information, Zakat\nEmpowerment, and Waqf Division at the Yogyakarta Regional Office of\nKemenag, Nurhuda, affirmed that the determination of the start of\nRamadhan awaits the hilal observation report and the official decision\nthrough the isbat session convened by the Ministry of Religious\nAffairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe official determination of the start of Ramadhan will be made\nthrough the isbat session opened by the Minister of Religious Affairs.\nThe public is urged to respond to any differences, should they arise,\nwith wisdom, mutual respect, and by maintaining harmony,\u201d said\nNurhuda.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/yogyakarta-islamic-calendar-authority-ramadhan-crescent-moon-impossible-to-sight-in-the-region-1771399498", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }