Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar's Message After Announcing Eid al-Fitr on Saturday, 21 March
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar has urged the Muslim community to maintain unity following the determination of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah, which once again differs between the government and Muhammadiyah.
The government has set Lebaran to fall on Saturday, 21 March 2026, through the Isbat session. Meanwhile, Muhammadiyah had previously determined Idulfitri on Friday, 20 March 2026, based on the hisab method.
“We urge all Indonesian Muslims to always maintain peace, security, order, and togetherness during this year’s Lebaran period,” said Nasaruddin in a press conference for the Isbat Session of 1 Syawal 1447 H, at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office, on Thursday (19/3).
In his remarks, Nasaruddin extended Eid al-Fitr greetings to all Muslims. He also reminded the public to respect differences in celebration timings, including for groups celebrating earlier or completing their fast until the 30th day.
“As the Minister of Religious Affairs and on behalf of the government, I also wish to extend Eid al-Fitr greetings, 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah; please forgive my physical and spiritual shortcomings. And to our colleagues who may celebrate Lebaran tomorrow, as stated by the Chairman of Commission Eight, we ask for tolerance towards our brothers and sisters who continue their fast until the 30th day as per this session’s decision,” said Nasaruddin.
He emphasised the importance of making Idulfitri a momentum to strengthen brotherhood amid differences.
“Let us make Idulfitri a momentum to tighten ukhuwah, reconnect silaturahim ties, and maintain social stability as our contribution to building a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia,” he continued.
Previously, Nasaruddin announced that 1 Syawal 1447 H falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026, based on the Isbat session results.
“Thus, based on the hisab results and the absence of crescent moon sighting reports, it is agreed that 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026,” said Nasaruddin in the press conference on the Isbat session results.
The Minister stated that Indonesia uses the MABIMS criteria (Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore), namely a crescent height of 3 degrees and an elongation angle of 6.4 degrees.
The height of the crescent above the horizon today across Indonesia ranges from 0 degrees 54 minutes 27 seconds to 3 degrees 7 minutes 52 seconds. The elongation angle is 4 degrees 32 minutes 42 seconds to 6 degrees 6 minutes 11 seconds.
“Based on hisab, today’s crescent data does not meet the MABIMS visibility criteria. We then held the Isbat session. In this session, we deliberated with falaq experts, astronomers, people’s representatives, MUI, and representatives of Islamic mass organisations in Indonesia,” said Nasaruddin.
“The deliberation refers to the hisab and rukyah results from the Ministry’s hisab and rukyah team and is confirmed by officers placed at least at 117 observation points across Indonesia, who have confirmed that the crescent was not visible,” he added.
He explained that in determining the Eid al-Fitr date, the state facilitates by holding the Isbat session as an effort to provide space for Muslims to discuss when to start worship or holidays.
The Isbat session was attended by various Islamic mass organisations including MUI, falaq science experts, parties from BRIN, BMKG, Jakarta Planetarium, and several other institutions.
The Isbat session began with a seminar on the crescent’s position, followed by verification of rukyatul hilal reports from various regions, then the Isbat session itself, and the official announcement of the 1 Syawal 1447 H determination.