East Java Ministry of Religious Affairs to Monitor Crescent Moon for 1 Syawal at 28 Locations This Thursday Evening

The collaboration is to ensure that the rukyat process runs objectively, scientifically, and in accordance with syariah provisions and regulations. Surabaya (ANTARA) - The East Java Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) is carrying out rukyatul hilal for the determination of 1 Syawal 1445 Hijriah at 28 strategic locations in the region on Thursday evening. The Head of the East Java Kemenag Office, Akhmad Sruji Bahtiar, stated that the results of the crescent moon observations will then be reported in a tiered manner as material for the Sidang Isbat of the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs. “Rukyatul hilal is a scientific as well as syariah effort in determining the start of Syawal. We ensure its implementation runs professionally by involving experts and referring to the agreed criteria,” said Bahtiar in his statement in Surabaya on Thursday. Based on data from the Mosque Affairs and Hisab Rukyat Team of the Islamic Religious Affairs Division, he said, observations are being conducted in various areas including Blitar City, Pacitan, Banyuwangi, Probolinggo, Tuban, Madiun, Jombang, Gresik, Lumajang, Jember, Sampang, Ngawi, and Malang. He added that the observation locations were selected selectively, considering open western horizons, atmospheric quality, and minimal light pollution. Bahtiar explained that the activity involves various elements, from Kemenag, religious court judges, Islamic community organisations, BMKG, falak experts, universities, Islamic boarding schools, to community leaders. Furthermore, he added that referring to the MABIMS imkanur rukyat criteria, the crescent moon is declared to meet the requirements if it has a minimum height of three degrees and an elongation of at least 6.4 degrees at sunset. He added that weather factors such as clouds or thick clouds still pose challenges in carrying out rukyat in several areas. “We hope that the determination of 1 Syawal can provide certainty for Muslims to celebrate Eid al-Fitr together,” said Bahtiar.