'Fasting month begins Oct. 27'

'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