Ramadhan most likely to start on Friday
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.