'Fasting month begins Oct. 27'

JAKARTA: The country's second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, announced on Wednesday that the Ramadhan fasting month would begin on Oct. 27.

Muhammadiyah secretary Good Will Zubir said on Wednesday that the decision was made based on calendar calculations.

"We have also decided that the Idul Fitri celebration will fall on Nov. 25," Zubir said as quoted by Antara. Idul Fitri marks the end of the 30-day fast.

The country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), has not yet decided on the dates of the start and end of Ramadhan. The NU and Muhammadiyah often disagree on the dates.

The NU always uses moon sightings to determine the dates, which are usually in line with the government's predetermined dates.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is slated to hold a hearing with major Muslim organizations to set the date for the beginning of Ramadhan for Oct. 25.

Through the same process, a court of Muslim leaders will also determine when Idul Fitri falls.

The Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) will also be present at the hearing. -- Antara