Indonesia Awaits Eid al-Fitr 2026: Government Isbat Session Scheduled
As the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijri/2026 AD nears its conclusion, the Muslim community in Indonesia anticipates the official announcement of the Eid al-Fitr celebration date. The Indonesian government will conduct an isbat session – a method of confirmation – to determine the beginning of Shawwal 1447 Hijriah, which marks Eid al-Fitr.
Isbat Session Details
The isbat session is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 16:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time) at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religion Office, Jakarta. The President has also expressed hope for a blessed Eid al-Fitr.
Predictions from BRIN and BMKG
Several research institutions have released predictions for the Eid al-Fitr date. Two prominent government institutions, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG), have offered their estimations.
BRIN’s Prediction
Thomas Djamaluddin, a researcher at BRIN’s Space Research Center, estimates that Eid al-Fitr 1447 H will likely fall on March 21, 2026. This prediction is based on astronomical calculations of the latest moon’s position. According to BRIN, the new moon’s position on March 19, 2026, in the Southeast Asia region is not expected to meet the criteria established by the MABIMS (Minister of Religion of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore) for the start of a new Hijri month. The Hijri calendar for 1447 H shows Ramadan beginning on March 9th, 2026.
BMKG’s Prediction
The BMKG’s data indicates a strong possibility of Ramadan being completed to 30 days. Calculations show the conjunction will occur before sunset on March 19, 2026, throughout Indonesia. The height of the crescent moon (Hilal) ranges from 0.91 degrees in Merauke, Papua, to 3.13 degrees in Sabang, Aceh. Based on this monitoring, the BMKG suggests that Eid al-Fitr 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah is very likely to fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026. IslamicFinder provides a detailed Hijri calendar for tracking critical dates.
Participants in the Isbat Session
The government’s isbat session will include representatives from various organizations, including ambassadors from friendly countries, Commission VIII of the DPR RI, the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), BMKG, the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), BRIN, the Bosscha Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), planetariums, astronomy experts from Islamic community organizations, and members of the Ministry of Religion’s Hisab Rukyat Team.
Muhammadiyah’s Declaration
Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organizations, has already declared that Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH will be observed on Friday, March 20. This decision is based on the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (KHGT) system. Muhammadiyah announced this date based on their calculations.
The final determination of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H will be made following the government’s isbat session on March 19, 2026.