Idul Adha Confirmation Hearing: Crescent Moon Observation to be Conducted at 88 Locations

The Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has announced that crescent moon observations for the beginning of Zulhijah 1447 Hijriah/2026 will be conducted at 88 locations spread throughout Indonesia. This is an important part of the Idul Adha confirmation hearing process, which determines the start of Zulhijah and subsequently, Idul Adha.

“The hearing to determine the beginning of Zulhijah 1447 Hijriah will be held on May 17th, 2026, coinciding with the 29th of Zulkaidah 1447 Hijriah at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religious Affairs,” said Director of Islamic Affairs and Sharia Guidance at Kemenag, Arsad Hidayat, in Jakarta, as quoted by Antara.

Arsad stated that the hearing will involve various elements, including ambassadors from friendly countries, the Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs, Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and BMKG (the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics).

Furthermore, the Badan Informasi Geospasial (BIG), BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI), Islamic mass organizations, astronomy experts, the Kemenag’s Hisab Rukyat Team, academics, and leaders of Islamic boarding schools will also participate.

“The hearing serves as a joint forum to combine the results of hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyatul hilal (crescent moon sighting) in order to accurately determine the beginning of Zulhijah 1447 Hijriah, which can be accepted by all Muslims in Indonesia,” he said.

Based on hisab calculations, all systems agree that the conjunction before Zulhijah 1447 Hijriah will occur on Sunday, May 17th, 2026, at approximately 03.00.55 WIB (Western Indonesian Time).

During the rukyat observation, the position of the crescent moon throughout Indonesia is estimated to be above the horizon with an altitude ranging from 3º 37’ 51” to 6º 54’ 23”. Meanwhile, the elongation angle or angular distance between the moon and the sun ranges from 8º 58’ 23” to 10º 36’ 52”.

To ensure the accuracy of the observations, the Ministry of Religious Affairs together with Kanwil Kemenag (Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs), Kemenag at the district/city level, religious courts, Islamic mass organizations, and related agencies will conduct rukyatul hilal at 88 locations spread from Aceh to West Papua.

The observation locations include observatories, beaches, rooftops of buildings, monitoring towers, and strategic mosques in various regions.

“Crescent moon observations will be carried out extensively throughout Indonesia so that the results obtained are more accurate and can serve as a basis for decision-making during the confirmation hearing,” said Arsad.