Government Sets Eid al-Adha Date for Wednesday, May 27th, 2026
The government, through the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag), has officially set Eid al-Adha, 10 Zulhijjah 1447 Hijriah, to fall on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026. This decision was made after reconciling data from astronomical calculations with the results of moon sighting observations (rukyatul hilal) at dozens of locations throughout Indonesia.
Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar affirmed that this determination is based on the position of the new moon, which meets the criteria and has been successfully observed.
“Based on the results of astronomical calculations and reports of the sighting of the new moon, it was agreed that the 1st of Zulhijjah 1447 Hijriah will fall on Monday, May 18th, 2026. Consequently, Eid al-Adha, which falls on the 10th of Zulhijjah 1447 Hijriah, will be on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026,” said the Minister during a press conference in Jakarta on Sunday (May 17th).
“I repeat, Eid al-Adha will fall on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026,” he added for emphasis.
The determination of May 27th, 2026, as the day of Eid al-Adha is considered objective and scientifically accountable. Based on astronomical calculations, the position of the new moon throughout Indonesia is at an altitude of 3 degrees 17 minutes 33 seconds to 6 degrees 56 minutes 58 seconds, and the angle of elongation ranges from 8 degrees 54 minutes 49 seconds to 10 degrees 37 minutes 7 seconds.
These figures meet the new criteria set by MABIMS (the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore). The presence of the new moon was also confirmed by the results of the rukyatul hilal conducted at 88 locations in Indonesia, with one location confirming a clear sighting in Lamongan Regency.
With the determination of Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27th, 2026, the government hopes that all Muslims in Indonesia can carry out the series of worship rituals in the month of Zulhijjah simultaneously and devoutly.
Muslims can begin preparing for the Sunnah fasts of Tarwiyah and Arafah, the performance of Eid al-Adha prayers, and the sacrifice of animals. The Minister hopes that this year’s Eid al-Adha will strengthen togetherness, enhance Islamic brotherhood, and solidify unity as one nation.
The Isbat session is a formal forum that integrates scientific methods (hisab) and Sharia methods (rukyat) to provide legal certainty for the community in celebrating religious holidays together. (E-4)