BMKG Deploys Teams to 37 Locations for Crescent Moon Observation to Determine Start of Ramadan
The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has deployed teams for crescent moon (hilal) observation to determine the start of Ramadan 2026, corresponding to 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. Teams have been stationed at 37 locations across Indonesia.
"To assist in determining the start of Ramadan 1447 H, BMKG has prepared teams at 37 locations throughout Indonesia tasked with conducting observations (rukyat) on 17 and 18 February 2026," the agency stated via its official account on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
BMKG explained that based on astronomical calculation (hisab) data, the position of the crescent moon on 17 February remains below the horizon (negative). As such, it is expected to meet the criteria set by the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS) only on 18 February.
"Based on hisab data, the position of the crescent moon on 17 February remains below the horizon (negative), meaning it will most likely only meet the MABIMS criteria (minimum altitude of 3° and elongation of 6.4°) on 18 February, with an altitude reaching between 7.62° and 10.03°," BMKG wrote.
Nevertheless, BMKG is awaiting the official decision from the government's isbat session through the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The isbat session is being held today.
"The official decision will await the outcome of the Isbat Session to be held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on 17 February 2026," BMKG wrote.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Directorate of Islamic Community Guidance website, the isbat session to determine the start of the Ramadan 2026 fasting period will take place today at Hotel Borobudur in Central Jakarta. The session is scheduled to begin at 16:30 Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
The isbat session proceedings will commence with a seminar on the crescent moon's position at 16:30 WIB, followed by the isbat session itself at 18:30 WIB, and the announcement of results via press conference at 19:05 WIB.
Crescent moon monitoring will be conducted at various locations across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua, involving regional teams and volunteer hilal observers.
"To assist in determining the start of Ramadan 1447 H, BMKG has prepared teams at 37 locations throughout Indonesia tasked with conducting observations (rukyat) on 17 and 18 February 2026," the agency stated via its official account on Tuesday (17/2/2026).
BMKG explained that based on astronomical calculation (hisab) data, the position of the crescent moon on 17 February remains below the horizon (negative). As such, it is expected to meet the criteria set by the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore (MABIMS) only on 18 February.
"Based on hisab data, the position of the crescent moon on 17 February remains below the horizon (negative), meaning it will most likely only meet the MABIMS criteria (minimum altitude of 3° and elongation of 6.4°) on 18 February, with an altitude reaching between 7.62° and 10.03°," BMKG wrote.
Nevertheless, BMKG is awaiting the official decision from the government's isbat session through the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The isbat session is being held today.
"The official decision will await the outcome of the Isbat Session to be held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on 17 February 2026," BMKG wrote.
According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs' Directorate of Islamic Community Guidance website, the isbat session to determine the start of the Ramadan 2026 fasting period will take place today at Hotel Borobudur in Central Jakarta. The session is scheduled to begin at 16:30 Western Indonesian Time (WIB).
The isbat session proceedings will commence with a seminar on the crescent moon's position at 16:30 WIB, followed by the isbat session itself at 18:30 WIB, and the announcement of results via press conference at 19:05 WIB.
Crescent moon monitoring will be conducted at various locations across Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua, involving regional teams and volunteer hilal observers.