Aceh Ministry of Religion Prepares Six Crescent Moon Observation Points for Syawal 1447 H, Public Welcome to Attend
The Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion (Kanwil Kemenag) in Aceh Province has established six strategic locations for the implementation of hilal observation (crescent moon monitoring) to determine the beginning of 1 Syawal 1447 Hijri, corresponding to Eid al-Fitr 2026. The observation is scheduled for Thursday, 19 March 2026, coinciding with the 29th of Ramadan 1447 H.
Azhari, Head of Kanwil Kemenag Aceh, stated that the monitoring will be conducted simultaneously with the national isbat (legal determination) session chaired by Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar in Jakarta. In Aceh, the process will commence in the late afternoon with support from modern astronomical instruments.
The official observation points in Aceh Province for determining Eid al-Fitr 1447 H include five advanced telescopes stationed at Tgk. Chiek Kuta Karang Observatory. Azhari explained that the office is also opening the opportunity for members of the general public who wish to directly witness the monitoring process as part of an educational initiative. “We are also providing an opportunity for the general public who wish to witness this monitoring process directly as part of education,” he stated in Banda Aceh on Tuesday (17 March 2026).
Alfirdaus Putra, Head of the Astronomical Committee at Kanwil Kemenag Aceh, revealed that based on astronomical data, the crescent moon’s position on 29 Ramadan 1447 H in Aceh is estimated to have an altitude of 3.1 degrees. However, its elongation value only reaches 6.1 degrees.
This figure is noteworthy because it remains below the minimum criteria of MABIMS (Ministers of Religion of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore), which requires a minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees. This condition opens the possibility of a difference in the determination of Syawal between the government and other global calendar methods.
In response to the potential for such differences, Azhari urged the people of Aceh to maintain a respectful attitude and preserve Islamic brotherhood. “If there are differences in determining Eid al-Fitr, do not allow it to damage unity. Regard it as a mercy and an opportunity for tolerance, as each method has strong legal foundations and methodologies,” Azhari stated firmly.
The observation results from all six points in Aceh will be promptly reported to the Ministry of Religion in Jakarta as the primary material for consideration in the Isbat Session. The public is expected to await the official government announcement, which is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday evening at approximately 19:30 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).