Day of Idul Fitri lies in the stars

Day of Idul Fitri lies in the stars

JAKARTA (JP): Idul Fitri is almost certain to fall on Tuesday, but two prominent Islamic organizations say a final decision depends on the sighting of the moon's crescent tonight.

The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the Islamic Propagation Council said on Saturday that they would wait for the sighting before formally pronouncing the day of Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the Ramadhan fasting month.

Ahmad Bagdja, NU's Secretary-General, told The Jakarta Post that there is still a slight chance that Ramadhan could fall on Wednesday.

While movement of the moon can be predicted mathematically, a physical sighting of the moon's crescent is still the final determinant, he said.

NU experts will be on the look out from five posts set up in Jakarta, Pelabuhan Ratu, Gresik, Semarang, and Manado, he added.

Afdhil Salim said the Islamic Propagation Council started watching on Sunday.

Afdhil told the Post that the council agreed that Idul Fitri would fall on Jan. 22 because its attempts to look for the moon's crescent on the previous day was hampered by bad weather.

The government has also set up various posts across the country. Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Tahir is expected to announce the results on television this evening.

Ramadhan can last 29 or 30 days depending on the movement of the moon. In the past, Moslem organizations have differed on when the fasting month really ends, creating controversy as well as confusion among followers.

This year, Indonesian Moslems began Ramadhan on Jan. 22, after various posts failed to sight the new moon the previous day. Most Moslem countries, including Saudi Arabia, began Ramadhan the same day.

Chatib Quawain, secretary-general of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said on Thursday that Idul Fitri should mathematically fall on Tuesday. (01)