Isbat Session Scheduled for 19 March: When is Eid al-Fitr 2026?

Jakarta — The Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) will hold an isbat session to officially establish 1 Shawwal 1447 Hijri on Thursday, 19 March 2026, coinciding with 29 Ramadhan 1447 H.

The isbat session is scheduled to take place at the H.M. Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religion headquarters in Jakarta, starting at 16.00 Western Indonesia Time (WIB).

The Director General of Islamic Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religion, Abu Rokhmad, stated that the auditorium was selected because it has recently completed renovation.

“The implementation of the session is based on calculation data and verified hilal observation results, and follows a mechanism that is open to the public,” said Abu, as quoted from the Ministry of Religion’s official website on Wednesday, 18 March 2026.

The isbat session will involve various parties, ranging from astronomy experts to representatives of Islamic community organisations.

Agencies involved include the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), planetariums, observatories, and other relevant institutions.

The Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development at the Ministry of Religion, Arsad Hidayat, added that technical preparations are complete, including coordination of hilal monitoring across various regions.

“From a technical standpoint, we are preparing session facilities and infrastructure, the hilal observation reporting system, and coordination of hilal monitoring points throughout Indonesia,” said Arsad.

The isbat session will begin with a seminar on hilal position, verification of hilal observation reports from various regions, and a closed session before the official announcement by the Minister of Religion.

With thorough preparations and involvement of various agencies, the isbat session is expected to produce an accurate determination that can be accepted by all Muslims in Indonesia.