Idul Fitri likely to fall tomorrow: Scholars
SURABAYA (JP): Indonesia's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) may join Muhammadiyah members celebrating Idul Fitri tomorrow rather than Friday as the government calendar says.
NU astronomy expert Mahfud Anwar and secretary of the East Java chapter Fuad Anwar told The Jakarta Post they believed the Ramadhan fasting month ends today and the Islamic lunar month of Syawal, which coincides with the first day of Idul Fitri, begins tomorrow.
NU has 30 million followers while Muhammadiyah has about 28 million.
"I have conducted careful hisab (mathematical calculations) and I am confident that Idul Fitri falls (tomorrow)," Mahfud said. "Insya Allah (God willing) my calculation is not mistaken."
Mahfud said according to his calculations, the position of the new moon will be two degrees and two minutes above the horizon this afternoon. The new moon should be in the southeast, which means that it may not be seen from the northern coast of Indonesia.
"The rukyatul hilal (efforts to sight the new moon) should be concentrated (on monitoring posts erected) along the southern coast," he said.
"I personally will end my fasting (today) and celebrate Idul Fitri (tomorrow) even without waiting for the result of the sighting because I am confident of my astronomical calculations," Mahfud said.
Muhammadiyah had earlier said that according to their calculations, they would celebrate Idul Fitri on Jan. 29.
However, Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher said it was more likely the day would fall on Jan. 30.
The East Java chapter of NU earlier issued a calendar that says Idul Fitri falls on Jan. 29. But Fuad said chapter leaders would also perform the rukyatul hilal this evening in some locations, including Lamongan, Gresik, Surabaya and Pamekasan in Madura, to be completely certain.
The government will convene in Jakarta this evening a meeting of leaders and astronomical experts from various Islamic organizations to determine the exact date of Idul Fitri.
Antara reported that Muhammadiyah leaders in Central Java have written to the governor about their plan to hold Idul Fitri prayers tomorrow.
Chapter secretary Jaisar Amit said those who agree with the organization's stance may perform their prayers in any mosque in their neighborhood.
Islam stipulates Moslems complete their fasting, either for 29 or 30 days, depending on the length of the Ramadhan month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The sholat Ied, the Idul Fitri prayers, are not obligatory.
The news agency also quoted Makmum Bayyumi, a mufti from Cairo, as saying that Moslems may defer and hold their prayers for the following day, together with other groups who believe it to be the first day of Syawal.
Bayyumi said Caliph Omar ibn Khattab, after conducting mathematical calculations, determined that a Ramadhan lasted for 30 days. When the people of Mecca were still fasting, a Bedouin Moslem suddenly declared that he had sighted the new moon.
The caliph then whispered to the Bedouin: "You may break your fast... and perform the Idul Fitri prayers the next day with the others."
Bayyumi suggested that when such differences occur, those in the minority should join the majority. "It is better for a nation to celebrate Idul Fitri on the same day," he said. (nur/swe)