Presidential Palace on Differing Start of Ramadan Fasting: We Must Respect One Another

State Secretary Minister (Mensesneg) Prasetyo Hadi has urged the public not to make an issue of the differing start dates for Ramadan fasting. Prasetyo said the discrepancy in the start of fasting was a normal occurrence, and called on the public to respect one another.

“The fact that fasting this year may differ in terms of timing is something that need not be made into a problem or blown out of proportion,” Prasetyo said after a meeting with House of Representatives (DPR) leaders at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/2/2026).

Prasetyo called on the public to respect the existing differences. According to him, some Muslims had already begun their fasting observance earlier, and this needed to be met with tolerance.

“Rather, we must respect one another, because we all know that some of our Muslim brothers and sisters have already begun fasting today,” he said.

“On behalf of the President and the government, I would also like to convey best wishes for the observance of Ramadan fasting to all Muslims in Indonesia,” he added.

Muhammadiyah commenced its Ramadan fasting from that day. Meanwhile, the government set the start of fasting as 19 February 2026.

“Based on astronomical calculations, today’s hilal data did not meet the MABIMS hilal criteria,” Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar said at a press conference following the isbat session.

“It was agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026,” he continued.