Indonesia Sets Isbat Session for Ramadan 2026 Start Date
- Indonesia's Ministry of Religious Affairs will convene an isbat session on February 17, 2026, to officially determine the beginning of ramadan 1447 Hijri, the month of fasting for...
- The isbat session is a formal meeting convened by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to confirm the start of Islamic months, relying on both astronomical calculations (hisab) and...
- The meeting will be chaired by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.
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Ramadan 2026 Start Date to be Resolute by indonesian Government
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Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs will convene an isbat session on February 17, 2026, to officially determine the beginning of ramadan 1447 Hijri, the month of fasting for Muslims globally.
The Isbat Session Process
The isbat session is a formal meeting convened by the Ministry of Religious Affairs to confirm the start of Islamic months, relying on both astronomical calculations (hisab) and the sighting of the new moon (rukyatul hilal). This process ensures a unified start date for Ramadan across Indonesia, a nation with the world’s largest Muslim population.
The meeting will be chaired by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar. Representatives from various Islamic organizations, including Nahdlatul ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah, will also participate, alongside experts from the National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN).
Evidence: The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the planned isbat session on February 10, 2026, via an official press release (https://www.kemenag.go.id/berita/siaran-pers/kemenag-akan-gelar-sidang-isbat-awal-ramadhan-1447-h-pada-17-februari-2026).
Role of Hisab and Rukyatul Hilal
Hisab, or astronomical calculations, provides a predicted date for the new moon’s visibility. However, Indonesian law prioritizes rukyatul hilal – the actual sighting of the new crescent moon – as the definitive method for determining the start of Ramadan. This is enshrined in minister of Religious Affairs Regulation No. 8 of 2019 concerning the Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dzulhijjah.
Teams from the Ministry of Religious Affairs will be deployed to strategic locations across Indonesia to observe the sky for the new moon on the evening of February 16, 2026. These locations are selected based on astronomical projections and past sighting data.
Example: In 2025, the isbat session determined that Ramadan 1 began on March 11, 2025, following confirmed sightings of the new moon in multiple locations across Indonesia (https://www.kemenag.go.id/berita/siaran-pers/kemenag-tetapkan-awal-ramadhan-1446-h-jatuh-pada-11-maret-2025).
Legal Framework and Coordination
The determination of the start of ramadan is a matter of national importance in Indonesia, impacting the scheduling of religious observances for millions of citizens. The Ministry of Religious Affairs coordinates with other government agencies, including the