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Ramadhan begins on Saturday, govt says
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Welcoming Ramadhan:People observe the moon’s position to determine the beginning of Ramadhan at Al-Musyari’in Mosque in West Jakarta on Friday. Most Islamic organizations have decided the first day of the holy month will fall on Saturday. (JP/Dhoni Setiawan)
T
he government has announced that the first day of Ramadhan 1438 H will fall on May 27, as observers in several areas across the country have spotted the presence of the new moon.
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said all Muslims could perform tarawih (evening Ramadhan prayers) on Friday as they would start fasting on Saturday.
All Indonesians should maintain peace and harmony during the holy month, he further said.
“The new moon could be observed by sworn witnesses in several locations,” Lukman told journalists in a press conference after an isbat (confirmation) meeting to determine the start of Ramadhan at the Religious Affairs Ministry in Jakarta on Friday evening.
“Based information we received, we decided that the first day of Ramadhan will fall on Saturday, May 27,” he said. There were no varying opinions voiced by Islamic organizations about the start of this year's Ramadhan fasting month during the meeting, he added. (rdi/ebf)
