Religious Affairs Minister inaugurates Hisab Rukyat team comprising scholars to scientists
The Hisab Rukyat Team serves as a collaborative space to bring together syariat and scientific perspectives in determining the start of the Hijriah month.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar inaugurated the 2026 Hisab Rukyat Team of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, comprising ulama, scientists, and various institutions involved in determining the start of the Hijriah month in Indonesia.
“The establishment of the Hisab Rukyat Team represents a tangible commitment by the government to provide legal certainty regarding Islamic worship,” the Minister stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The Hisab Rukyat Team consists of elements from the Supreme Court, BRIN, BMKG, Indonesian Ulema Council, Nahdlatul Ulama, Muhammadiyah, Persatuan Islam, Al Irsyad, Al Washliyah, academics, falak and astronomy experts, pesantren leaders, and hisab rukyat figures.
The Minister revealed that the Hisab Rukyat Team plays a strategic role in providing certainty of worship times that align with syariat principles, scientific knowledge, and maintaining harmony in religious community life.
According to the Minister, the recommendations produced by the Hisab Rukyat Team must have a strong foundation, both syar’i and scientific. Therefore, synergy between astronomy experts, academics, ulama, and Islamic community organisations needs to be continuously strengthened.
He explained that the Ministry of Religious Affairs prioritises a dialogical approach in determining the start of the Hijriah month. The government, he said, seeks to deliver decisions that are reassuring and can serve as a common reference amid the diversity of methods prevalent in society.
“We aim to deliver decisions that bring about benefits without negating the existing diversity of approaches. Therefore, dialogue and consultation are very important,” he said.
According to him, the team was formed through Ministerial Decree No. 208 of 2026, involving government elements, state institutions, academics, falak and astronomy experts, and Islamic community organisations.
“The Hisab Rukyat Team becomes a shared space to converge syariat and scientific perspectives in determining the start of the Hijriah month. This approach is important so that the resulting decisions have religious legitimacy as well as a strong scientific basis,” he stated.
Abu Rokhmad added that the Hisab Rukyat Team is also expected to serve as a means to strengthen communication across Islamic mass organisations and related institutions, especially ahead of the Sidang Isbat to determine the start of Zulhijah 1447 H, scheduled for Sunday, 17 May 2026.
From the scientific and academic elements, among others, are Prof Thomas Djamaluddin, Prof Cecep Nurwendaya, and Prof Ahmad Izuddin.