VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifudin stated, the beginning of fasting month or 1 Ramadhan 1440 Hijri fell on Monday, May 6. According to Lukman Hakim, 1 Ramadhan was decided after knowing the position of the new moon and hearing the testimony of a number of officers deployed by the Ministry at a number of points in Indonesia.  This was conveyed by the Minister at a press conference at the Ministry of Religious Affairs office in Jakarta, after itsbat session to determine the beginning of Ramadan on Sunday (05/05) afternoon.  He added, for this year, the Government had deployed a number of officers stationed in not less than 102 point in 34 provinces in Indonesia. At least 9 officers delivered their testimony under the oath that they saw the Hilal.

“Therefore, with these two things, Hilal's position and then later hearing the testimony of a number of our officers, then all the participants of the Itsbat congregation agreed to determine that 1 Ramadhan in 1440 Hijrah falls on Monday, May 6, 2019,” said Lukman Hakim Saifudin.

Minister Lukman Hakim Saifudin hopes that, with the results of the itsbat session, all Muslims in Indonesia can start fasting together in Ramadan. This is a reflection of the togetherness of Muslims to look at the future of the nation together.  The itsbat session was attended by representatives of various Islamic organizations, such as Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhamadiyah, National Aeronautics and Space Agency (LAPAN), Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) and representatives of friendly countries. (VOI / AHM)