Crescent Moon Not Visible at KH Hasyim Asy’ari Mosque in West Jakarta

JAKARTA – The crescent moon was not visible during the observation to determine 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah at Masjid Raya KH Hasyim Asy’ari in West Jakarta on Thursday (19/3/2026). This condition was influenced by the moon’s still low position and cloudy weather on the western horizon.

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) for DKI Jakarta, KH Syamsul Ma’arif, stated that the observation results would subsequently be reported to the Nahdlatul Ulama Central Board (PBNU) for forwarding to the government.

“PBNU will then convey the ikhbar, or notification, including to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will then hold the sidang isbat,” he explained during a press conference at the location on Thursday.

“We are waiting until the observations for rukyatul hilal in the westernmost part of Indonesia, namely in Aceh, are complete,” he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Falakiyah Institute of PWNU DKI Jakarta, KH Abdul Khaliq Saleh, revealed that the moon’s position during the observation was at an altitude of about 2 degrees with an elongation of 6 degrees.

According to him, this position was still below the visibility criteria for the crescent moon, making observation difficult, especially with the unsupportive weather conditions.

“Up to 18:15 WIB, its position was still at 2 degrees altitude for the crescent moon, with 6 degrees elongation. This means, based on the calculation data we have, it is still below the requirements, so we experienced difficulty in seeing the crescent moon, compounded by the thick clouds earlier,” he added.