Despite Different Eid Dates, Religious Affairs Minister Urges Indonesians to Uphold Unity

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag), Nasaruddin Umar, has urged all Indonesians to uphold the spirit of togetherness and unity even while observing Eid al-Fitri on different dates. This is because the Government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), has officially set 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah to fall on Saturday, 21 March 2026. On the other hand, various sects have determined that Eid al-Fitri 1447 H will be on Friday, 20 March 2026, including Muhammadiyah. “Alhamdulillah, this is the maximum result we can achieve, and to those who differ from the government’s decision or the Isbat Session ruling, let there be no distance between us. Our friends are fellow citizens and fellow Muslims,” said the Menag during a Press Conference for the Isbat Session of 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah at the Kemenag Office in Jakarta on Thursday. The Menag also invited all Muslims in Indonesia not to let this difference become something that divides religious unity in Indonesia. “May this become a symbol of Muslim togetherness in Indonesia, which also reflects our unity as fellow children of the nation in welcoming a better future,” stated Nasaruddin Umar. “Let us maintain our togetherness during the holy month of Ramadan, which has been conducive with our worship and devotion, and preserve it for the next 11 months,” said Cholil Nafis. Furthermore, Chairman of Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Marwan Dasopang, appreciated the government’s efforts to combine the hisab falakiyah method, which was then reconfirmed at 117 points to ensure that Muslims in Indonesia can celebrate Eid safely and comfortably. “Alhamdulillah, to achieve unity and togetherness for all of us, if there are people who understand and believe that 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah is tomorrow, Friday, it can be tolerated, and this should not become a difference among us as Muslims, and let us maintain our brotherhood well,” said Marwan Dasopang. It is known that the Government has set 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah to fall on Saturday, 21 March 2026, because based on calculations, the crescent moon’s height across all regions of Indonesia is still below the horizon, with elevations between 0° 54’ 27” (0.91°) to 3° 07’ 52” (3.13°), and the elongation angle is at 4° 32’ 40” (4.54°) to 6° 06’ 11” (6.10°). Referring to the criteria of the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS), the start of the Hijriah month is determined if the crescent has a minimum height of 3° and an elongation or angular distance between the two celestial bodies reaches 6.4°.