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The many ways to determine Ramadan, Idul Fitri dates
Millions of Muslims often face questions on when the Ramadan or Idul Fitri holidays will fall, which depends on how religious authorities observe the moon to determine the Hijriah Islamic calendar.
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Congregations, ulema and officials observe the position of the hilal (crescent moon) on Feb. 28, 2025, in West Aceh, Aceh. The Religious Affairs Ministry holds hilal observations in 125 places across the country to determine the start of the Ramadan fasting month. (Antara/Syifa Yulinnas)
M
ost Muslims worldwide usually ask the same two questions every year: When will Ramadan start, and when will we celebrate the Idul Fitri holiday after the fasting month?
They usually have a general sense of when Ramadan and Idul Fitri fall. But the official declaration from the Indonesian government on dates for the fasting month and the Islamic holiday relies heavily on observations of the moon.
Some other groups rely on other methods, which results in different calculations for the Hijriah Islamic calendar and confusion about whether people can start fasting or celebrating Idul Fitri.
Scholars have been offering solutions, such as the unified Islamic calendar, to bridge the gap between the two approaches, but it has not made any progress; at least in Indonesia.
Nevertheless, millions of Indonesian Muslims are still waiting for confirmation from the government on whether they will celebrate this year’s Idul Fitri on March 31 or April 1, pending an announcement from the Religious Affairs Ministry on Saturday.
A tale of two methods
The Hijriah Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle and moon phases. A hilal (crescent) marks the start of each of 12 months in a Hijriah year. Ramadan is the ninth month of the calendar, followed by Syawal, whose first day marks the Idul Fitri holiday.
