Crescent Moon in Central Sulawesi Fails to Meet MABIMS Criteria
The crescent moon (hilal) observed in Marana Village, Donggala Regency, Central Sulawesi, was recorded at minus one degree below the horizon on 17 February 2026. This meant the hilal did not meet the criteria set by MABIMS (the body comprising the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) for determining the start of an Islamic month.
The observation was conducted using the rukyatul hilal (direct sighting) method combined with hisab (astronomical calculation). Results showed that the moon set before the sun — the moon descended below the horizon at 18:12 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), whilst the sun set at 18:18 WITA, a difference of six minutes. This resulted in the hilal being positioned below the horizon at sunset.
Under MABIMS criteria, the hilal must have a minimum altitude of three degrees and a specified elongation at the time of sunset to be considered visible. The observation in Central Sulawesi recorded the hilal at minus one degree, well short of the required threshold.
Nevertheless, based on astronomical calculations, the hilal was projected to meet MABIMS criteria on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, when its altitude was expected to reach seven degrees, significantly improving the likelihood of visibility.
The Head of the Central Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Junaidin, urged the public to remain calm and prudent in responding to potential differences in the determination of 1 Ramadan.
The observation results were reported to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for further consideration. The Ministry's Isbat session subsequently determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah would fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
The observation was conducted using the rukyatul hilal (direct sighting) method combined with hisab (astronomical calculation). Results showed that the moon set before the sun — the moon descended below the horizon at 18:12 Central Indonesian Time (WITA), whilst the sun set at 18:18 WITA, a difference of six minutes. This resulted in the hilal being positioned below the horizon at sunset.
Under MABIMS criteria, the hilal must have a minimum altitude of three degrees and a specified elongation at the time of sunset to be considered visible. The observation in Central Sulawesi recorded the hilal at minus one degree, well short of the required threshold.
Nevertheless, based on astronomical calculations, the hilal was projected to meet MABIMS criteria on Wednesday, 18 February 2026, when its altitude was expected to reach seven degrees, significantly improving the likelihood of visibility.
The Head of the Central Sulawesi Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Junaidin, urged the public to remain calm and prudent in responding to potential differences in the determination of 1 Ramadan.
The observation results were reported to the Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia for further consideration. The Ministry's Isbat session subsequently determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah would fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026.