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Meeting on when Idul Fitri falls held behind closed doors
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Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin talks to journalists in an event in Jakarta recently. (Kompas.com/-)
T
he government will hold a meeting with prominent Islamic groups on Monday evening to decide whether Idul Fitri, which marks the end of the Ramadhan fasting month, falls on Tuesday or Wednesday
For the second consecutive year, the meeting will be held behind closed doors, therefore keeping any differences that may arise away from the public.
"We will hold the meeting after the Maghrib prayer," Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said as quoted by kompas.com.
Muhammadiyah, the second largest Islamic social organisation, had in the past held Idul Fitri a day earlier than what the government ruled. Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Islamic grouping in the country, had always supported the government.
Insiders say that since the meeting is held behind closed doors, it will likely to come to a consensus.
A press conference is scheduled at around 7 pm.
The confusion arises because Islam, which uses the lunar year, decides the end of each month in two ways: By way of astronomy calculations, but also confirmed with the physical sighting of the end of the moon. A month in the Islamic year could last 29 or 30 days. (ebf)
