VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (VOI News) - The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs held Isbat or Determination Session to set the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah and Eid Al-Adha 1441 Hijriyah. The session determined the Eid al-Adha 1441 Hijriyah Day to fall on Friday, July 31, 2020. This decree was delivered by the Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi after leading the Isbat or Determination Session of the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah and Eid Al-Adha 1441 Hijriyah held virtually by the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta on Tuesday (21/7).

Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi said in carrying out the Isbat session, the Ministry of Religious Affairs always uses two methods, namely Hisab and rukyat. Hisab is a mathematical and astronomical calculation to determine the position of the moon in determining the beginning of the month on the Hijri calendar. Whereas Rukyat is an activity to observe the presence of the new moon or the appearance of the crescent.

According to him, hisab and rukyat, are not two different things, in fact, both are complementary methods.

The Minister of Religious Affairs added that the determination of the beginning of the month of Dhul-Hijah and Eid al-Adha 1441 Hijriyah was taken after considering the results of the Hisab and rukyatul hilal reports. More than twelve observers who had been sworn said they saw the new moon. Rukyatul Hilal confirmed the results of reckoning that the hilal throughout Indonesia is above the horizon, between 6 degrees 51 minutes to 8 degrees 42 minutes.

"Therefore, with the aforementioned two things, namely based on hisab or reckoning, the hilal position throughout Indonesia is above the horizon and the rukiyatul hilal report has also seen the new moon, then the session stated that 1 Zulhijjah of 1441 Hijriyah fell on Wednesday 22 July 2020 AD and Eid al-Adha 10 Zulhijjah 1441 Hijri falls on Friday, 31 July 2020," said Fachrul Razi.

Accompanying the Minister of Religious Affairs Fachrul Razi in a press conference were among others Chairman of Commission VIII of the House of Representatives (DPR) Yandri Susanto and Chair of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) KH Muhyidin Junaidi. Similar to the Isbat session of the 1st Shawwal 1441 Hijr, this time the session was also held virtually and with due regard to the health protocols. (VOI / AHM)