Ramadan 2026: Start Date Set for February 19th by Indonesian Government

Indonesia Sets Ramadan Start Date Amidst Differing Calculations

Jakarta – The Indonesian government has officially announced that Ramadan 1447 Hijri will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The decision followed a comprehensive Isbat (confirmation) meeting held in Jakarta on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, led by Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar.

“Based on the results of hisab (astronomical calculations) and the absence of a visible hilal (crescent moon), it has been agreed that the 1st of Ramadan 1447 Hijri will fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026,” Minister Umar stated during a press conference.

The determination hinges on the MABIMS criteria – a standard followed by the Religious Affairs Ministers of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore – which requires a minimum moon height of 3 degrees above the horizon and an elongation angle of at least 6.4 degrees at sunset. According to the Ministry, observations on February 17th revealed an elongation ranging from 0 degrees 56 minutes 23 seconds to 1 degree 53 minutes 36 seconds, falling short of the required criteria.

“The elongation angle was very low, very minimal, at 0 degrees 56 minutes 23 seconds, up to 1 degree 53 minutes 36 seconds,” Umar explained. “based on hisab data, the hilal was not visible today.”

The Isbat meeting involved a thorough deliberation process, considering both astronomical calculations and on-the-ground observations to physically sight the new moon. This practice is routinely undertaken by the Indonesian government to determine the start of Ramadan, Shawwal, and Dhu al-Hijjah.

However, the government’s decision differs from that of Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, which has set the start of Ramadan for Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This discrepancy stems from differing methodologies used to calculate the beginning of the month.

Secretary-General of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), Amirsyah Tambunan, acknowledged the differing dates as a natural occurrence, urging for wisdom and tolerance in navigating the situation. He referenced the views of Imam Ghazali, who did not object to the use of either hisab or rukyat (physical sighting) as both fall within the realm of ijtihad (independent reasoning).

“What is important is to be full of wisdom and mutual tolerance,” Tambunan said.

Tambunan further emphasized the theological and legal basis for considering celestial phenomena, particularly in the debate surrounding the determination of the start of the Hijri months.

Cecep Nurwendaya, a member of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ moon-sighting team, explained that the position of the hilal in Indonesia on Tuesday was between minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 43 seconds and minus 0 degrees 55 minutes 41 seconds. This position, combined with the elongation measurements, did not meet the MABIMS criteria for official recognition.

The Indonesian government’s decision to begin Ramadan on February 19th is based on the non-visibility of the hilal on Tuesday. The differing calculation by Muhammadiyah highlights the ongoing debate within the Indonesian Muslim community regarding the most accurate method for determining the start of the Islamic holy month.