Government Sets Start of Ramadan as 19 February; Crescent Moon Not Sighted
The government has officially declared 1 Ramadan 1447 H to fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Observation results from across Indonesia confirmed that the crescent moon (hilal) had not been sighted.
“The hilal position data based on today’s astronomical calculations across all Indonesian territories show an altitude ranging around minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 42 seconds,” said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar at a press conference following the isbat session at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on Tuesday (17 February 2026).
Under the established criteria, the hilal must be positioned at least 3 degrees above the horizon. Nasaruddin noted that the hilal’s position at approximately minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 42 seconds meant it had not yet formed.
“This means the hilal has not yet taken shape and remains below the horizon, down to 0 degrees 58 minutes 47 seconds,” he said.
Nasaruddin confirmed that these conditions were based on observations at 96 locations across Indonesia. He added that similar conditions were also recorded across Southeast Asia and other Muslim-majority countries.
The determination of the start of Ramadan was decided during an isbat session convened by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
“Based on astronomical calculations, today’s hilal data do not meet the MABIMS hilal criteria,” said Minister Nasaruddin Umar at the press conference following the isbat session.
“It has been agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026,” he added.
The hilal’s position at the time of observation did not meet the requirements under the agreement between the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS). According to the MABIMS agreement, the conditions for possible sighting (imkanur rukyat) are considered fulfilled when the hilal reaches an altitude of 3 degrees with an elongation angle of 6.4 degrees.
The isbat session to determine the start of Ramadan 2026 involved the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab and Rukyat (astronomical calculation and observation) team. Ambassadors from friendly nations and representatives of Islamic organisations were also in attendance.
The isbat session was divided into three stages. First, a presentation on the hilal position for 1 Ramadan 1447 H based on hisab (astronomical calculations) by the Ministry’s Hisab and Rukyat team, commencing at 17:00 Western Indonesian Time.
Second, a closed isbat session to determine the start of Ramadan 1447 H, held after the Maghrib prayer. In addition to hisab data, the session also drew upon rukyatul hilal (crescent moon observation) results conducted by Ministry teams at hundreds of locations across Indonesia.
Finally, the Ministry held a press conference to officially announce the results of the isbat session determining the start of Ramadan 1447 H. This means the Ramadan fast will commence the day after tomorrow, with tarawih prayers beginning tomorrow evening.