Jakarta (voinews): Vice President Ma'ruf Amin has urged all Muslims to not only focus on fasting during the holy month of Ramadhan, but also on self-improvement.

"We should optimize Ramadhan as a momentum to improve our personal quality, not just to endure hunger and thirst," he said in a video message welcoming Ramadhan 1444 Hijri, which was accessed from here on Wednesday.

He also appealed to Muslims to increase their gratitude for the blessings and favors that they have received.

"Make this year's Ramadhan a momentum to thank Allah SWT (subhanahu wa ta'ala) for all His help to the Indonesian people, thus we are able to get through various tough challenges that we have faced so far," the Vice President said.

He urged all Muslims toimprove their mental strength, especially strengthen their self-control, and believe in everything that has been destined by Allah SWT.

In addition, he invited Muslims to welcome Ramadhan with joy and gratitude. He also expressed the wish that all Muslims would be able to carry out their religious rituals well during the holy month.

Furthermore, speaking about the political year ahead — Indonesia will hold the General Elections on February 14, 2024 — Amin reminded the public not to be influenced by false information, which could disturb national unity.

He also asked the public to maintain national peace and integrity.

"Entering the political year, I encourage all Indonesian people to maintain peace and unity, not to be provoked by hoaxes, which can pit one against another, and to uphold national commitments," he added.

Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas announced on Wednesday evening that Ramadhan 1444 Hijri will start on March 23, 2023.

He informed that 12 observation officers from 124 locations across Indonesia had reported that they had sighted the hilal or the crescent moon that marks the start of the month in the Islamic calendar.

Furthermore, he said that the height of the seen hilal had reached between six degrees 46.2 minutes to eight degrees 43.2 minutes above the horizon, with the elongation angle between 7.93 degrees to 9.54 degrees. (Antaranews)