Ramadhan most likely to start on Friday

The Jakarta Post, Bandung/Jakarta

Unlike previous years when Indonesian Muslims started fasting for Ramadhan on two different dates, they will all likely begin fasting on Friday.

An astronomer with the Bosscha Observatory in the West Java capital of Bandung, Dhani Herdiwijaya, said on Wednesday the first day of Ramadhan would be Oct. 15.

According to astronomical observation the sighting of the new moon would only appear on Thursday night, which will come after Maghrib (dusk prayers), he said.

"Currently, the moon is barely visible as it hangs 5 degree below the horizon," Dhani added.

He explained that on Oct. 14, the new moon would appear at 9:14 a.m. and last for just eight hours, before ascending in the evening and would become visible.

Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization, has decided that based on its hisab (calendar calculation) method, the start of Ramadhan is Oct. 15.

Meanwhile, the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) will declare that the first day of the fasting month is Friday too if its rukyah (moon sighting) team can see the new moon on Thursday evening.

If not, the NU will start Ramadhan on Saturday.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs is slated to host a meeting on Thursday evening with the NU, Muhammadiyah and other major Islamic organizations, as well as the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) to determine the start of Ramadhan.

Meanwhile, Jakartans will have more time to get their supplies for Ramadhan and Idul Fitri, as supermarkets across the city will be allowed to stay open until midnight.

This policy will be effective for 15 days before and two days after Idul Fitri, the city's economic department chief Sukry Bey said on Wednesday as quoted by Antara.

He said that Hero supermarket and French supermarket Carrefour have shown interest in implementing the policy.

The Lion Super Indo supermarket chain also said that it would keep its stores open until midnight.

"The policy will help a lot of customers, as stores are usually packed during those days," said the chain's senior marketing manager, Melanie Dharmosetio.

Most vendors at traditional markets usually leave the capital for their hometowns a few days before Idul Fitri, leaving Jakartans without many alternatives except to hit the supermarkets for food supplies.

Melanie said that not all of Super Indo stores would be open during those days, as the final decision would be left to the individual owners.