House Commission VIII on Ramadan Start Date Differences: Let Us Respect One Another

Chairman of House Commission VIII Marwan Dasopang said that differences in determining the start of Ramadan 1447 H must be handled properly, warning that the disagreement must not be allowed to fracture the nation.

“As stated by the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, because the methods used to determine when worship begins involve various perspectives, differences remain possible. Therefore, these differences must not divide us. Let us respect one another,” Marwan said at a press conference on the determination of 1 Ramadan at Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (17/2/2026).

Marwan continued that during the day’s discussions and the Isbat Session, he had observed Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar’s efforts to reconcile differing perspectives. Disagreements over the start of Ramadan have been a recurring issue.

“But in the discussions today there was a view that, going forward, the Religious Affairs Minister will endeavour to reconcile perspectives on determining 1 Ramadan,” he explained.

“Because he explained that the global calendar centred in Turkey has also not yet observed the possibility of a hilal [new crescent moon] sighting tomorrow. Therefore, as Chairman of Commission VIII, we will support efforts to reconcile perspectives so that we can all observe worship together, particularly for Ramadan and later for Syawal,” he added.

He urged Indonesian Muslims to focus on worship rather than debating differences, saying this was akin to building a better nation.

“We urge Indonesian Muslims: let us worship with devotion, increase our acts of worship, and God willing, we shall become better through sincere and honest fasting, which will serve as a foundation for building the nation going forward,” he said.