Hilal Observation at IKN Marks Historic First for Ramadan Determination
Samarinda (ANTARA) — The determination of 1 Ramadan this year has entered the history books, as for the first time the hilal (crescent moon) observation was conducted directly from the Core Government Centre Area (KIPP) of the Nusantara Capital City.
“We cannot make a decision independently because Indonesia is vast, stretching from Sabang to Merauke, so we follow the central authority,” said Abdul Khaliq, Head of the East Kalimantan Provincial Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in Nusantara Capital City on Wednesday.
Based on the observations by the team from the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) Balikpapan Geophysics Station, the hilal altitude in the KIPP IKN area was recorded at minus 1.481 degrees.
The technical data indicated that the hilal did not meet the requirements for declaring 1 Ramadan under the MABIMS criteria, which stipulate a minimum altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees.
Abdul Khaliq added that differences between the hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyatul hilal (direct sighting) methods could potentially lead to varying determinations of the start of fasting among certain sections of the community.
“The hope is that this does not become a source of controversy, because what matters most is that we preserve our unity, bearing in mind that Ramadan is a means of drawing closer to God,” Abdul Khaliq said.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Fathan, a representative of the Balikpapan Geophysics Station team, explained that the accuracy of the observation depends heavily on analysis of the moon’s altitude, the moon’s age, and elongation mapping.
“Even if the sky is clear, the presence of other astronomical objects and weather factors such as thick cloud cover can obstruct visibility, so calculations must be carried out with great precision,” Fathan explained.
Fathan noted that all visual obstacles encountered in the field would ultimately be resolved through the agreed MABIMS criteria at the isbat (official determination) session.
The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs, deployed observation points at 96 locations across Indonesia to obtain comprehensive and accurate data.
Based on the results of the Isbat session, the Ministry of Religious Affairs declared 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah to fall on Thursday, 19 February.
The Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority, Basuki Hadimuljono, along with his staff, attended in person to witness the inaugural hilal observation ceremony at the new capital.