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Idul Fitri falls on Saturday, government declares
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Homebound travelers walk to buses parked near the National Monument (Monas) in Central Jakarta for the first day of the city administration’s free mudik (exodus) program on April 17. ( Antara/Aprillio Akbar)
T
he government announced on Thursday evening that the first day of the month of Syawal, which marks the Idul Fitri celebration, will fall on Saturday following an isbat (confirmation) meeting.
“The meeting decided that 1 Syawal of the Hijriah [Islamic calendar] 1444 falls on Saturday, April 22, 2023”, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said at the press conference after the meeting at the ministry office in Jakarta
The ministry held the isbat meeting at dusk Jakarta time, which was attended by representatives from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Islamic organizations, the House of Representatives, partner countries’ ambassadors and related ministries and government institutions.
Muhammadiyah, Indonesia’s second-largest Muslim organization, had already set the date of Idul Fitri for Friday.
Muhammadiyah relies on hisab (mathematical calculations) to determine Ramadan and Idul Fitri every year, while the government uses a method combining astronomical calculations with an old-fashioned sighting of the moon, called rukyah.
The rukyah method is also adopted by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Islamic group.
“I’m calling on all Muslims to maintain tolerance, respect and ukhuwah Islamiyah [Islamic brotherhood] in regards to the different Syawal 1 date decisions, “ Yaqut said.
For years, Muhammadiyah had set different dates both for the start of the fasting month and for Idul Fitri.
Muslims in Singapore will celebrate Idul Fitri on Saturday with Ramadan this year lasting for 30 days, the Mufti of Singapore Nazirudin Mohd Nasir said in a statement on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia has issued official confirmation that the first day of Idul Fitri will fall on Friday. On Thursday, the Saudi moon-sighting committee in the kingdom announced that April 20 would be the last day of the month of Ramadan and that Idul Fitri would be celebrated from Friday onward. (dre)
