East Java Ministry of Religious Affairs Office Conducts Hilal Sighting at 28 Locations, Crescent Moon Not Yet Visible

The East Java Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs carried out rukyatul hilal observations for determining 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah at 28 points spread across various regions in East Java on Thursday evening (19/3). The Head of the East Java Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Akhmad Sruji Bahtiar, was present to directly monitor the rukyat process at Branta Port, Tlanakan, Pamekasan Regency. The observation process took place from 17.40 WIB to 17.49 WIB, utilising a telescope as the main aid. From the monitoring results, the position of the hilal in the East Java region did not yet meet the imkanur rukyat criteria as set by MABIMS member states. The office head explained that the hilal’s elevation during observation was around 1.425 degrees, still below the minimum threshold of 3 degrees. Meanwhile, the hilal’s elongation was recorded at about 5.30 degrees, not yet reaching the minimum requirement of 6.4 degrees. ‘With these conditions, the hilal in East Java has not been successfully observed,’ said Akhmad Sruji Bahtiar. He added that the rukyatul hilal results from various points would be submitted to the Ministry of Religious Affairs as material for consideration in the isbat session for determining 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah held in Jakarta. The office head also urged the public to wait for the official government decision regarding the determination of Eid al-Fitr. ‘We invite all Muslims to await the results of the isbat session that will be announced by the government,’ said Akhmad. Furthermore, Akhmad emphasised that differences in determining the holiday are commonplace and should not become a source of division. ‘Differences are inevitable. Instead, they should serve as a means to strengthen brotherhood, maintain harmony, and bolster unity,’ said Akhmad. He also invited all Muslims to continue maintaining harmony and mutual respect in welcoming Eid al-Fitr. ‘Let us welcome Eid al-Fitr with a spirit of togetherness, mutual appreciation, and maintaining a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere,’ stated Akhmad Sruji Bahtiar.