Jakarta – Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) has announced the schedule for the sidang isbat, a meeting to determine the start of 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah, which will signify the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026. The decision, crucial for millions of Muslims across the archipelago, will be made on Thursday, March 19, 2026, coinciding with 29 Ramadan.
The sidang isbat, a formal process established to determine the beginning of key months in the Islamic calendar – Ramadan, Syawal, and Dzulhijjah – will take place at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta, beginning at 4:00 PM local time (WIB). This year’s meeting is particularly significant as it follows renovations to several rooms within the ministry complex, prompting a return to the HM Rasjidi Auditorium as the central location for the proceedings.
According to Director General of Islamic Guidance at Kemenag, Abu Rokhmad, preparations for the sidang isbat are proceeding according to established protocols, encompassing both substantive considerations and technical support. “The implementation of the sidang is based on hisab data and verified rukyatul hilal results, and through a mechanism that is open to the public,” Rokhmad stated on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, as reported by Kemenag.
Broad Representation in the Isbat Process
The sidang isbat will convene a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from foreign embassies, Commission VIII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), the Supreme Court, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG), the Geospatial Information Agency (BIG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Bosscha Observatory at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), planetariums, and experts in falak (Islamic astronomy) from various Islamic organizations. Members of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hisab Rukyat Team will also participate.
“Because it involves such broad representation, the decision of the sidang isbat has strong religious legitimacy,” Rokhmad emphasized. The process underscores the Indonesian government’s commitment to a transparent and inclusive approach to determining dates of religious significance.
The Stages of Determining Eid al-Fitr
The sidang isbat will follow a structured agenda, beginning with a seminar on the position of the hilal (new moon). This will be followed by verification of rukyatul hilal reports from across the country, the formal sidang isbat session, and the official announcement of the date of 1 Syawal 1447 H by the Minister of Religious Affairs. A closed session will then be held to discuss the rukyatul hilal reports before the final announcement is made to the public.
Astronomical calculations (hisab) indicate that on the day of rukyatul hilal, or 29 Ramadan 1447 H, which falls on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the hilal will be above the horizon across Indonesia, with an elevation ranging from 0°54’27’’ to 3°7’52’’. The elongation angle of the hilal is expected to range from 4°32’40’’ to 6°06’11’’. Calculations suggest that the ijtimak – the conjunction of the sun and moon – preceding Syawal 1447 H will occur on March 19, 2026, at approximately 8:23 AM WIB.
Despite these calculations, the final determination of the start of Syawal will depend on the results of the rukyatul hilal observations conducted throughout Indonesia. Kemenag will deploy monitoring teams to 117 locations nationwide, working with regional branches of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, local religious courts, Islamic organizations, and related agencies.
Potential for Divergent Observances
The potential for differing dates for Eid al-Fitr exists, mirroring previous occurrences. The Muhammadiyah organization, a prominent Islamic organization in Indonesia, has already announced that it anticipates Eid al-Fitr to fall on Friday, March 20, 2026, based on its own calculations. CNBC Indonesia reports that this differs from the government’s preliminary calendar, which designates Saturday, March 21, 2026, as 1 Syawal 1447 H. However, the official government decision will await the outcome of Thursday’s sidang isbat.
The sidang isbat process is a cornerstone of religious observance in Indonesia, balancing astronomical calculations with direct observation to ensure a unified and religiously sound determination of the date of Eid al-Fitr. The outcome of Thursday’s meeting will provide clarity for Muslims across the nation as they prepare to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
Following the sidang isbat, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is expected to issue an official decree outlining the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026. Further details regarding public holidays and related announcements will be released in the days following the meeting.
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