RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has officially confirmed that the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri will begin, Thursday, 19 February 2026, after moon-sighting data failed to meet the internationally agreed criteria for crescent visibility. The Indonesia's Religious Affairs Minister, Nasaruddin Umar, made the statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, 17 February 2026 following the conclusion of the Sidang Isbat, a formal deliberation that determines the start of key Islamic months through astronomical calculation (hisab) and physical moon sighting (rukyat).

Speaking after the session, the minister stated that astronomical observations on 17 February showed the crescent moon (hilal) was still below the horizon at sunset across Indonesia. “Based on verified astronomical data and the absence of confirmed sightings, the hilal does not meet the required criteria for visibility,” he said.

Official data indicated that the moon’s altitude ranged from −2°24′43″ to −0°55′41″, with elongation angles between 0°56′23″ and 1°53′36″. These figures remain significantly below the minimum threshold required under Indonesia’s adopted standard.

Indonesia follows the MABIMS framework, a regional agreement among the Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. Under this standard, the crescent must reach at least 3 degrees above the horizon with an elongation of 6.4 degrees before it can be declared visible.

Authorities confirmed that none of the data collected from 96 monitoring points across the archipelago met those requirements on Tuesday evening. “Therefore, it is agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 Hijri will fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026,” the minister announced.

The session brought together astronomers, Islamic scholars and representatives of major religious organizations to review both scientific calculations and field observation reports. The officials emphasized that combining astronomy and religious methodology ensures transparency, credibility and public trust in determining the Islamic calendar.

Despite the unified national decision, some Muslim groups in Indonesia have historically used alternative calculation methods that may produce different starting dates. The government urged the public to respond to any differences with understanding and mutual respect.

Moreover, Minister Nasaruddin Umar expressed hope that the decision would allow Muslims across Indonesia home to the world’s largest Muslim population to begin fasting together in harmony. “Ramadan should strengthen our unity as a nation,” he said, adding that diversity of interpretation should not lead to division but reflect the richness of Indonesia’s Islamic tradition.