Ramadan 2026: Start Date Determined by Indonesian Government

The Indonesian government is scheduled to hold an isbat session today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to determine the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah. The hearing will commence at 4:00 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB) at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium, Ministry of Religion Office, Jakarta.

Integrated Approach to Determining Ramadan’s Start

This year’s isbat session will utilize an integrated approach, combining hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyatul hilal (new moon sighting). This method aims to reconcile differing approaches used by various Islamic community organizations in Indonesia. According to Director General of Islamic Community Guidance, Abu Rokhmad, this combination ensures decisions are based on both scientific and religious principles. CNBC Indonesia

Participants in the Isbat Session

The isbat session will include representatives from prominent Islamic organizations such as Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, PERSIS, Al-Irsyad Al-Islamiyyah, and Hidayatullah, as well as the Islamic Ummah Association. Experts in astronomy and meteorology from government agencies like BMKG (Indonesia Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics) and BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), the Planetarium, and regional observatory networks will also participate.

Isbat Session Process

The isbat session will proceed in several stages: presenting the position of the new moon based on hisab data, receiving reports from rukyatul hilal monitoring points across Indonesia, a closed deliberation session, and finally, an official announcement via a press conference led by the Minister of Religion.

Astronomical Data and New Moon Visibility

Preliminary hisab data indicates that the position of the new moon at sunset on February 17, 2026, in Indonesia will range from -2 degrees to less than 1 degree. The elongation angle is below the visibility criteria established by the MABIMS (Ministers of Religious Affairs of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) hilal visibility criteria. CNBC Indonesia

Director of Islamic Religious Affairs and Sharia Development, Arsad Hidayat, stated that these calculations do not meet the MABIMS crescent moon visibility standards. The ijtima (conjunction) is projected to occur on February 17, 2026, at 7:01 PM WIB, and this data will serve as the initial basis for discussion during the isbat session.

Potential Start Dates for Ramadan

Based on the Ministry of Religion’s Hijri calendar, 1 Ramadan 1447 H is tentatively estimated to fall on Thursday, February 19, 2026. However, the government emphasizes that this date remains a prediction until the official decision is announced after the isbat session. CNBC Indonesia

If the crescent moon is sighted on February 17, the start of fasting could potentially be on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Conversely, if the crescent moon is not observed, Ramadan may begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Call for Patience and Official Announcement

Arsad Hidayat urged the public to await the government’s final decision and refrain from speculation. “We urge the public to wait for the government’s official decision. The isbat session is the official mechanism for determining the start of Ramadan in Indonesia,” he stated.