Ramadan Fasting Begins Thursday 19 February 2026 Following Government's Isbat Session
The government, through the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag), has determined that the start of fasting, or 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE, falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
The determination was announced following the Isbat Session held at Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta, on Tuesday (17 February).
“The Isbat Session has determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah/2026 CE falls on Thursday,” said Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar while leading the press conference on the session’s outcome.
This decision differs from that of the Central Leadership of Muhammadiyah, which determined the start of Ramadan one day earlier, falling on Wednesday (18 February). The difference in methodology underpins the divergent determinations of the start of Ramadan.
Cecep Nurwendaya, a member of the Ministry’s Hisab Rukyat Team, explained that the position of the crescent moon (hilal) across Indonesian territory at the time of observation ranged from minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 43 seconds to minus 0 degrees 55 minutes 41 seconds, with elongation between 0 degrees 56 minutes 23 seconds and 1 degree 53 minutes 36 seconds.
Meanwhile, the MABIMS criteria (Ministers of Religious Affairs from Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) stipulate a minimum crescent moon altitude of 3 degrees and minimum elongation of 6.4 degrees. Consequently, 1 Ramadan was set for Thursday.
With the government’s official determination, Muslims in Indonesia were able to perform Tarawih prayers on Wednesday (18 February) evening.
The Isbat Session was attended by representatives of religious organisations, astronomy experts, Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, and representatives of friendly nations.
The announcement was made both online and offline, enabling the public to watch it directly through broadcasts on the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ official social media channels.
The Isbat Session was held on Tuesday from 4.30 pm Western Indonesian Time until it concluded with the determination of the start of Ramadan fasting. The proceedings began with an open presentation on the position of the new crescent moon (hilal) based on astronomical data by experts.
The Isbat Session considered preliminary information based on astronomical calculations (hisab) and field confirmation results through crescent moon observation (rukyatul hilal) mechanisms.
The proceedings continued with congregational Maghrib prayers followed by a closed session. Afterwards, the Isbat Session outcome was announced through a press conference.
The Isbat Session is a forum held by the government (Ministry of Religious Affairs) to determine the start of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijjah.
Since the 1950s, this session has been held as a state-facilitated consultative forum for various Islamic organisations in determining the start of Hijriah months. Through deliberation at the Isbat Session, the government gathers hisab (astronomical calculation) reports and rukyat (crescent moon observation) results from various observation points.
Arsad Hidayat, Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development at the Ministry, said the Isbat Session represents synergy between the government, ulema, and scientists in ensuring the determination of the start of Ramadan is carried out accurately and can be accounted for both scientifically and in accordance with Islamic law.
“The Isbat Session is a joint forum to verify hisab data and rukyat results before the government determines the start of Ramadan. The decision taken must have a scientific basis whilst also conforming to the provisions of Islamic law,” Arsad said.
Respecting Differences
Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) Anwar Iskandar meanwhile urged Indonesians to respect differences following the determination of 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
“Our nation is one comprising diverse backgrounds. That is an inevitability. An inevitability as a nation of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [Unity in Diversity], including for Muslims,” Anwar said.
Anwar noted that Indonesia currently has more than 80 Islamic organisations. Differences in organisational stances and views may result in different forms of worship and religious practice.
However, Anwar considered these differences to concern only matters of ijtihad (independent reasoning) or technical issues, whilst on matters of certainty (qath’i), all are in agreement.
“Therefore, the possibility of beginning or ending the fast on different days is an inevitability that we can understand and accept,” he said.
“But what is most important is the unity of the Muslim community, which we must always preserve. Therefore, it is important to understand and respect one another,” Anwar added.
Indeed, as a democratic nation, he said, Indonesians need to accustom themselves to differences. In this way, such matters become part of a dynamic that enriches the treasury of knowledge.
Anwar also assessed that well-managed differences would become a beautiful harmony and ultimately something important for Indonesian unity.
“And Indonesian unity is an important part of creating national stability,” he said.