In a significant development regarding the Islamic lunar calendar, the Hilal (crescent moon) has not met the criteria for imkanur rukyah as per calculations from the Lembaga Falakiyah Pengurus Besar Nahdlatul Ulama (LF PBNU) and the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag). As of Thursday, March 19, 2026 (29 Ramadhan 1447 H), the crescent moon’s height was below the required 3 degrees and elongation at 6.4 degrees, which are essential parameters for its visibility.
KH Sarmidi Husna, the Katib Syuriyah of PBNU, expressed hope that the Kemenag would adhere to Regulation No. 1 of 2026 in determining the end of Ramadhan 1447 H. This regulation stipulates that the criteria for imkanur rukyah remain at a height of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees. He emphasized the importance of transparency and consistency in following the MABIMS agreement, which involves the religious ministers of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.
“We urge the Kemenag to be transparent and consistent with the MABIMS agreement and the legal basis of the Ministerial Regulation,” he stated. The imkanur rukyah must be a prerequisite for accepting testimonies of the crescent moon sighting. If at least five different methods of celestial calculations indicate that the crescent is not visible, this must serve as a basis to reject any testimonies of its sighting.
Concerns Over Data Manipulation
We find concerns about potential manipulation of data regarding the crescent moon sighting. Reports suggest that some individuals claim the crescent in Sabang, Aceh, has already reached a height of over 3 degrees. However, the actual elongation remains below the required threshold, leading to attempts to modify the elongation criteria from 6.4 to 6 degrees. This has raised alarms among religious leaders.
there are allegations of plans to replicate the success of the crescent sighting from the beginning of Ramadhan 1446 H by sending a sighting team from Java to Aceh, with expectations of reporting a valid sighting despite the data being questionable.
Official Stance from LF PBNU
The LF PBNU has firmly rejected any claims suggesting a unilateral decision to align Idul Fitri 1447 H with March 20, 2026. They maintain that the official synchronization meeting conducted by the Kemenag has confirmed that 1 Syawal 1447 H will fall on March 21, 2026.
“The position of the crescent, according to all gathered calculations, remains below the agreed criteria,” stated KH Sirril Wafa, the Chairman of LF PBNU, affirming that any maneuvers to alter the established criteria would undermine the commitment built among stakeholders within various Islamic organizations.
Call for Caution from Religious Authorities
LF PBNU has emphasized the necessity for Ramadhan 1447 H to be completed as 30 days, concluding on Friday, March 20, 2026. They call on the Kemenag to exercise extreme caution in determining the methods for beginning and ending Ramadhan.
Kiai Sirril urged policymakers to prioritize carefulness and avoid hasty alterations of established numbers to accommodate certain preferences. He cautioned, “Beware! Recklessness in determining religious observance times could lead to significant errors in both speech and action, which is a grave concern according to our beliefs.”
Future Implications
LF PBNU is hopeful that the appointed scholars will remain committed to finalizing Ramadhan 1447 H and affirming that 1 Syawal 1447 H will indeed be on Saturday, March 21, 2026. They have reiterated that if the astronomical calculations demonstrate the crescent is not visible, any claims made to the contrary should be dismissed.
As the situation unfolds, the importance of adherence to established criteria and the transparency of data becomes paramount. The outcomes of this matter will likely impact the observance of significant Islamic dates and highlight the demand for unity and consistency among the Islamic community in Indonesia.
We invite readers to share their thoughts on this topic and engage in discussions about the implications of these findings on Islamic observances.
