Government Sets Start of Ramadan 2026 on Thursday 19 February
Jakarta (ANTARA) — The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), has determined that the start of fasting, or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE, falls on Thursday 19 February 2026, following the Isbat Session held at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
“The Isbat Session has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE falls on Thursday,” said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar whilst leading the press conference announcing the session’s outcome.
The decision differs from the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah, which set the start of Ramadan one day earlier, on Wednesday 18 February. The discrepancy stems from differences in methodology used to determine the beginning of Ramadan.
Cecep Nurwendaya, a member of the Ministry’s Hisab Rukyat Team, explained that the position of the hilal (new crescent moon) across Indonesian territory at the time of observation ranged from minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 43 seconds to minus 0 degrees 55 minutes 41 seconds, with elongation between 0 degrees 56 minutes 23 seconds and 1 degree 53 minutes 36 seconds.
Meanwhile, the MABIMS criteria — established by the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore — require a minimum hilal altitude of 3 degrees and minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees. As these thresholds were not met, 1 Ramadan was set for Thursday.
With this official government determination, Muslims in Indonesia may perform Tarawih prayers on Wednesday evening.
The Isbat Session was attended by representatives of religious organisations, astronomy experts, members of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), and representatives of friendly nations.
The announcement was made both online and in person, enabling the public to follow the proceedings directly through the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official social media channels.
The Isbat Session commenced on Tuesday at 16:30 Western Indonesian Time and concluded with the determination of the start of Ramadan fasting. The proceedings began with an open presentation on the position of the new crescent moon (hilal) based on astronomical data delivered by experts.
The Isbat Session takes into account preliminary information based on astronomical calculations (hisab) and field confirmation through hilal observation mechanisms (rukyatul hilal).
The session continued with congregational Maghrib prayers, followed by a closed session. The Isbat determination was subsequently announced through a press conference.
The Isbat Session is a forum convened by the government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs to determine the start of Ramadan, Syawal and Zulhijah.
Since the 1950s, this session has been held as a state-facilitated consultative forum for various Islamic organisations in determining the start of Hijriah months. Through deliberation at the Isbat Session, the government gathers hisab reports (astronomical calculations) and rukyat results (hilal observations) from various observation points.
Arsad Hidayat, Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, said the Isbat Session represents a synergy between the government, religious scholars and scientists in ensuring the determination of the start of Ramadan is carried out accurately and can be justified both scientifically and in accordance with Islamic law.
“The Isbat Session is a joint forum to verify hisab data and rukyat results before the government determines the start of Ramadan. The decision taken must have a scientific basis whilst also conforming to the provisions of Islamic law,” said Arsad.