Temporary Shelter Residents in Agam Watch Isbat Session with Enthusiasm
Agam Regency (ANTARA) — Residents of the temporary shelter at SD 05 Kayu Pasak, Palembayan District, Agam Regency, West Sumatra, enthusiastically watched the Isbat session to determine the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah, held by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
"Our whole family is very happy and eager to hear the confirmation of 1 Ramadan through the television broadcast," said Suparmanto, a resident of the SD 05 Kayu Pasak temporary shelter in Agam Regency, on Tuesday.
Suparmanto, together with his wife and young son, watched the live broadcast of the Isbat session from inside the temporary shelter where he has lived since 24 January 2026. The man, originally from East Java, said he was delighted to still be able to welcome Ramadan despite the ongoing recovery from the flash flood disaster.
"Our whole family is very happy to welcome the fasting month. As Muslims, we are proud and enthusiastic about the arrival of this holy month," he said.
Similarly, Pesmi Ermi, another shelter resident, expressed her joy at welcoming Ramadan, although she never imagined she would observe the 2026 fast in a temporary shelter — and without her daughter, who was among the victims of the flash floods.
"Perhaps this is a test from God. We must be patient and strong in facing it," she said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that, based on astronomical calculations, the position of the crescent moon (hilal) across all regions of Indonesia on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, had not yet met the hilal visibility criteria agreed upon by MABIMS member states (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).
The Indonesian government has traditionally used both hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyat (physical sighting) methods in determining the start of Islamic lunar months, particularly for Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijjah.
Hisab serves as preliminary information, whilst rukyat provides confirmation during the Isbat session, which involves various parties including astronomy experts, representatives of Islamic organisations, and relevant government agencies.
"Our whole family is very happy and eager to hear the confirmation of 1 Ramadan through the television broadcast," said Suparmanto, a resident of the SD 05 Kayu Pasak temporary shelter in Agam Regency, on Tuesday.
Suparmanto, together with his wife and young son, watched the live broadcast of the Isbat session from inside the temporary shelter where he has lived since 24 January 2026. The man, originally from East Java, said he was delighted to still be able to welcome Ramadan despite the ongoing recovery from the flash flood disaster.
"Our whole family is very happy to welcome the fasting month. As Muslims, we are proud and enthusiastic about the arrival of this holy month," he said.
Similarly, Pesmi Ermi, another shelter resident, expressed her joy at welcoming Ramadan, although she never imagined she would observe the 2026 fast in a temporary shelter — and without her daughter, who was among the victims of the flash floods.
"Perhaps this is a test from God. We must be patient and strong in facing it," she said.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs reported that, based on astronomical calculations, the position of the crescent moon (hilal) across all regions of Indonesia on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, had not yet met the hilal visibility criteria agreed upon by MABIMS member states (Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore).
The Indonesian government has traditionally used both hisab (astronomical calculation) and rukyat (physical sighting) methods in determining the start of Islamic lunar months, particularly for Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhul Hijjah.
Hisab serves as preliminary information, whilst rukyat provides confirmation during the Isbat session, which involves various parties including astronomy experts, representatives of Islamic organisations, and relevant government agencies.