Papua Ministry of Religious Affairs Urges Public to Maintain Tolerance Amid Differences Over Start of Ramadan
JAYAPURA — The regional office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) in Papua Province has urged the public to maintain tolerance despite differences in determining the start of the Ramadan 1447 Hijriah fasting month.
The appeal was issued in recognition that varying approaches to establishing the beginning of Ramadan — whether through astronomical calculation (hisab) or direct moon sighting (rukyat) — can result in different starting dates among Muslim communities.
The Ministry's regional office emphasised that such differences are a normal occurrence and should not become a source of division among the public. Instead, the community is encouraged to respect one another's practices and uphold the spirit of religious harmony that characterises Indonesia's diverse society.
The appeal was issued in recognition that varying approaches to establishing the beginning of Ramadan — whether through astronomical calculation (hisab) or direct moon sighting (rukyat) — can result in different starting dates among Muslim communities.
The Ministry's regional office emphasised that such differences are a normal occurrence and should not become a source of division among the public. Instead, the community is encouraged to respect one another's practices and uphold the spirit of religious harmony that characterises Indonesia's diverse society.