Potential Disagreement on Eid al-Fitr Date Emerges in Indonesia

A potential divergence in the determination of the start of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H (2026) is brewing in Indonesia, with concerns raised over possible manipulation of astronomical data and deviations from established criteria for sighting the new moon. The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board’s Falakiyah Institute is urging the Ministry of Religion to adhere to established regulations and agreements regarding the imkanur rukyah – the criteria for the possibility of sighting the new crescent moon.

Concerns Over Rukyatul Hilal Criteria

Calculations from the Falakiyah Institute, the Ministry of Religion, and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) indicate that on Thursday, 29 Ramadhan 1447 H/March 19, 2026, the crescent moon will remain below the established imkanur rukyah criteria of a height of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees. KH Sarmidi Husna, Head of PBNU Syuriyah, expressed hope that the Ministry of Religion will uphold Minister of Religion Regulation No. 1 of 2026, maintaining these criteria.

Imkanur rukyah, according to PBNU, should be a prerequisite for accepting testimonies of new moon sightings. If multiple, reliable methods determine that sighting the new moon is impossible, that determination should supersede any sighting claims.

Allegations of Data Manipulation

PBNU officials allege attempts to manipulate reckoning data and alter the agreed-upon imkanur rukyah criteria in an effort to unify the date of Eid al-Fitr. Specifically, concerns have been raised regarding adjustments to the elongation criteria, with some suggesting a reduction to 6 degrees. There are also concerns about replicating a previous attempt to influence the outcome by dispatching a sighting team from Java to Aceh.

Disagreement on Synchronization and Forwarding the Date

The LF PBNU emphasized that reports suggesting an attempt to align Eid al-Fitr 1447 H with March 20, 2026, are based on flawed logic. A synchronization meeting by the Ministry of Religion had previously determined that 1 Shawwal 1447 AH would correspond to March 21, 2026 AD. However, concerns persist that efforts are underway to manipulate calculations and “force” a different result.

PBNU’s Position and Call for Caution

LF PBNU maintains that Ramadhan 1447 H should be completed in 30 days, concluding on Friday, March 20, 2026. Kiai Sirril Wafa, Chair of the LF PBNU, stressed the importance of caution and transparency from the Ministry of Religion in determining the start and end of Ramadan. He warned against careless manipulation of data to satisfy specific interests, emphasizing the potential for errors in religious observance.

The PBNU National Halaqah has previously concluded that if astronomical calculations do not confirm the new moon’s visibility, testimonies of sighting should be rejected.

Astronomical Data

Falakiyah data for 29 Ramadhan 1447 H (March 19, 2026) shows the new moon above the horizon, but not meeting the imkanur rukyah criteria.

• Sabang, Aceh: Hilal height of 2 degrees 53 minutes, elongation of 6 degrees 09 minutes.
• Merauke, South Papua: Hilal height of 0 degrees 49 minutes, elongation of 4 degrees 36 minutes.
• Jakarta: Hilal height of 1 degree 43 minutes 54 seconds, elongation of 5 degrees 44 minutes 49 seconds.

The calculations were performed using the contemporary tahqiqi tadqiki ashri falak (hisab) method employed by Nahdlatul Ulama.