Religious Affairs Minister Urges All Faithful to Remain Tolerant Despite Different Eid Dates in 2026
The government has officially determined that Eid al-Fitr, 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah, or Lebaran 2026, will fall on 21 March 2026. Minister of Religious Affairs (Menag) Nasaruddin Umar urged the entire ummah to continue preserving unity.
“Before concluding this press conference, we urge all Indonesian Muslims to always maintain peace, security, order, and togetherness during this year’s Ramadan period,” said Nasaruddin during the sidang isbat for determining 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office on Jalan MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (19 March 2026).
Nasaruddin invited all parties to strengthen unity and silaturahim to keep societal conditions harmonious. Such an attitude, according to Nasaruddin, serves as a contribution to society.
“Let us make Eid al-Fitr a momentum to strengthen ukhuwah, reconnect silaturahim, and maintain social stability as our contribution to building a peaceful and prosperous Indonesia,” he stated.
Regarding the difference in Lebaran 2026 dates, Nasaruddin urged the entire ummah to be tolerant. Representing the government, Nasaruddin conveyed Eid al-Fitr greetings to all Muslims in the country.
“Finally, as Minister of Religious Affairs and on behalf of the government, I also wish to extend Eid al-Fitr greetings for 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah, with apologies born in the heart. And to our colleagues who may celebrate Lebaran tomorrow, as stated by the Chairman of Commission VIII, we ask for tolerance towards their siblings who will continue fasting until the 30th as per this session’s decision,” he added.
The sidang isbat was attended by leaders of Commission VIII of the DPR, leaders of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Director General of Islamic Guidance, and representatives of other Islamic organisations. The determination was made after sidang isbat participants heard presentations on the results of hilal monitoring.
“Thus, based on the hisab results and the absence of any reports of visible hilal, it is agreed that 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah falls on Saturday, 21 March 2026,” he said.
The Hisab Rukyat Team of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has reported the monitoring of the hilal position for determining Lebaran 2026. Based on hisab, the hilal does not meet the criteria of the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS) in Indonesian territory.
“We observed it. The image is clear, all magenta, all red. If the curve from earlier is combined across the entire territory of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, it does not meet the MABIMS criteria for the start of the Qamariyah month; the colour is magenta,” said a member of the Hisab Rukyat Team of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Cecep Nurwendaya, during the sidang isbat seminar at the Ministry of Religious Affairs.