Ramadan 2026: Start Date Confirmed for Indonesia
The Indonesian government has officially announced that Ramadan 1447 Hijri will begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The decision was made following an Isbat (confirmation) meeting held on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, combining astronomical calculations and crescent moon sightings.
Government’s Determination Process
Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar emphasized that the government’s decision was based on a combination of hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyat (crescent moon sightings) [1]. The Ministry of Religious Affairs monitored the new moon from 96 observation points across Indonesia. Based on these observations, and the lack of reported crescent moon sightings, February 19th was determined as the start of the fasting month [2].
Differing Opinions: Muhammadiyah’s Earlier Start Date
Whereas the government has set the start of Ramadan for February 19th, the Muhammadiyah organization has declared that Ramadan will begin on Wednesday, February 18, 2026 [3]. This difference stems from Muhammadiyah’s use of the Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) method, which relies on specific criteria for crescent moon visibility, including a minimum height of 5 degrees and an elongation of 8 degrees [3]. According to Muhammadiyah’s calculations, these criteria were met in Alaska, United States.
Jakarta Imsakiyah Schedule – February 19, 2026
For Muslims in Jakarta who will begin fasting on Thursday, February 19, 2026, the following is the imsakiyah schedule:
- Imsak: 04:31 WIB
- Dawn: 04:41 WIB
- Published: 05:55 WIB
- Dhuha: 06:22 WIB
- Zuhr: 12:10 WIB
- Asr: 15:20 WIB
- Maghrib (Breaking the Fast): 18:18 WIB
- Isha: 19:28 WIB
Sunnah Practices During Ramadan
Ramadan is a time for increased worship and spiritual reflection. Recommended practices include:
- Reading the Quran: Ramadan is known as the month of the Quran, and reading, understanding, and memorizing it is highly encouraged.
- Increased Charity (Alms): Giving to those in need is especially rewarding during Ramadan.
- Increased Prayer: Prayers made by a fasting person are considered particularly efficacious.
- Tarawih Prayers: These special prayers are performed after Isha prayers throughout Ramadan.
- I’tikaf: Spending the last ten days of Ramadan in seclusion at a mosque for worship.
- Feeding Those Breaking Their Fast: Providing food for others to break their fast is a virtuous act.
Call for Unity and Respect
The Ministry of Religion and Commission VIII of the DPR have appealed to Muslims to maintain unity and respect each other despite any differences in determining the start of Ramadan [2]. Indonesia has a history of peacefully navigating such differences, and it is important to prioritize brotherhood and harmony.