New moon not seen

New moon not seen

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher announced last night that Ramadhan, the Moslems' fasting month, will begin on Monday after the authorities and independent Moslem organizations confirmed that they failed to sight the new moon.

The pronouncement had full support from all the main Moslem organizations when it was presented to their representatives in a meeting at TVRI headquarters.

Tarmizi later appeared on state television broadcast nationwide to bring people the news, which was a confirmation of the earlier calculation that the Ramadhan would begin on Jan. 22.

The Arabic calendar year follows the lunar movement. While it can be calculated, the start of each month must await the sighting of the new moon.

Tarmizi said official monitoring posts in Biak, Pelabuhan Ratu, Merauke, Surabaya, Sabang and Jakarta all said they failed to see the new moon. People in Saudi Arabia and most other countries will also begin the fasting month on Monday, he said.

Differences on the start of Ramadhan often crop up.

The same procedure must be observed next month to determine the end of Ramadhan. Given the current rainy season, there is a good chance of more controversy this year, especially if thick clouds block the view of the crescent moon towards the end of Ramadhan. (01)