New Capital IKN Hosts Ramadan Moon Sighting for the First Time in East Kalimantan

Jakarta, VIVA – The East Kalimantan Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that for the first time it will conduct a hilal (crescent moon) observation — known as rukyatul hilal — to mark the beginning of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah in the Nusantara Capital City (IKN) area.

Head of the East Kalimantan Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Abdul Khaliq, explained that the observation at IKN was scheduled for Tuesday afternoon starting at 4.00pm local time. The location forms part of 133 simultaneous hilal monitoring points across Indonesia.

“We are working together with the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Regency. The observation site was specifically chosen for optimal viewing distance — most likely at ASN Housing Block 1, given its relatively elevated position,” he said in Samarinda on Tuesday, 17 February 2026.

He confirmed that apart from IKN, rukyatul hilal observations would continue to be held in all regencies and cities throughout East Kalimantan. In Samarinda, monitoring is centred at the tower of Baitul Muttaqien Islamic Centre Mosque.

According to him, the determination of the start of Ramadan this year follows the MABIMS criteria (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore), which requires a minimum hilal altitude of 3 degrees with an elongation angle of 6.4 degrees.

“If the hilal is sighted above these criteria this afternoon, then the first day of fasting falls on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. However, if it is not visible, then Sha’ban will be completed to 30 days (istikmal), meaning fasting would begin on Thursday, 19 February 2026,” he explained.

The rukyatul hilal process at IKN involves the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) for precise astronomical calculations, as well as the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). Observation results from all points in East Kalimantan will be reported directly to Jakarta as material for consideration at the Isbat Session.

Abdul Khaliq urged the public to maintain tolerance in welcoming the holy month. “We urge the people of East Kalimantan to respect one another, particularly in preserving the solemnity of the fasting worship,” he said.