Religious Affairs Minister Urges Public Not to View Differences Over Ramadan Start Date Negatively

The government has officially determined that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar reminded the public that should differences arise, they need not cause division among Muslims.

Nasaruddin Umar made the remarks during the isbat session held at Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta, on Tuesday (17/2/2026). He acknowledged that some Muslims may differ in determining the start of Ramadan 1447 H.

However, he urged that such differences should not cause the community to split apart, and that they need not be interpreted negatively.

“Should there be members of our Islamic community who may choose to do things differently according to their own convictions, we also urge the wider public — let us ensure that these differences do not cause us to separate or differ in a negative sense,” he said.

He stated that difference constitutes a beautiful configuration. Indonesia, he noted, has extensive experience in handling differences over the determination of 1 Ramadan.

“Difference is a very beautiful configuration. Indonesia has vast experience in differing yet remaining whole in a very beautiful unity,” he said.

The isbat session determined that the hilal (new crescent moon) had not met the MABIMS criteria. Consequently, 1 Ramadan falls on Thursday, 19 February.

“Based on astronomical calculations, today’s hilal data does not meet the MABIMS hilal criteria,” he said.

“It is agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 H falls on Thursday, 19 February 2026,” he added.

The position of the hilal during observation did not meet the requirements as agreed by the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore (MABIMS). Under the MABIMS agreement, the hilal is deemed to meet the visibility criteria (imkanur rukyat) when it reaches an altitude of 3 degrees with an elongation angle of 6.4 degrees.