Bandung, NU Online
State Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman said Indonesian astronomers should work harder to resolve the differences among major Muslim organizations in determining the beginning of Ramadan and Idul Fitri given their irrefutable competence on the subject.
Kusmayanto said some Muslim groups still relied heavily on the interpretation of Koranic verses in conducting astronomical observations, thus raising differences when determining the exact date for the start of Ramadan and Idul Fitri. The Nahdlatul Ulama uses verses which support rukyatul hilal (to see the moon with the naked eye) whereas the Muhammadiyah Muslim base the dates on hisab (calculations), which would agree with the astronomers.<>
"There's no doubt that our astronomers can observe and calculate more precisely when the moon will appear, but there are clerics who deem a certain method inadequate, and they base that on a particular verse," Kusmayanto said after attending a lecture by Professor Ron Ekers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's National Telescope Facility.
The lecture was titled, "The Big Bang, Black Holes, Pulsars and Extraterrestrial Life", held at the beginning of the second International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha Hall in Bandung on Aug. 25.
Kusmayanto said Indonesian astronomers had yet to achieve success but not because they were incapable, but due to a number of reasons beyond science which still prevailed among Muslim communities in the country.
"I don't blame them because when interpretations are given from different points of view, other options are available. That's why the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Muslim organizations have at times not come to a similar understanding," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
Kusmayanto said he was convinced the calculations made by local astronomers were correct in determining the start of the rituals.
"However, that remains unconvincing because they (the Nahdlatul Ulama) say the hilal (crescent moon), marking the start of Ramadan, must be seen by the naked eye," Kusmayanto said.
During the occasion, Kusmayanto also voiced his support for the advancement of astronomy in Indonesia due to its importance in opening up people's horizons.
He reminded the West Java provincial administration to preserve Indonesia's astronomical asset, the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, the only facility of its kind which could observe the southern skies. Its existence is now threatened, due to rapid growth in construction activities and subsequent light pollution in the area. (dar)
State Minister of Research and Technology Kusmayanto Kadiman said Indonesian astronomers should work harder to resolve the differences among major Muslim organizations in determining the beginning of Ramadan and Idul Fitri given their irrefutable competence on the subject.
Kusmayanto said some Muslim groups still relied heavily on the interpretation of Koranic verses in conducting astronomical observations, thus raising differences when determining the exact date for the start of Ramadan and Idul Fitri. The Nahdlatul Ulama uses verses which support rukyatul hilal (to see the moon with the naked eye) whereas the Muhammadiyah Muslim base the dates on hisab (calculations), which would agree with the astronomers.<>
"There's no doubt that our astronomers can observe and calculate more precisely when the moon will appear, but there are clerics who deem a certain method inadequate, and they base that on a particular verse," Kusmayanto said after attending a lecture by Professor Ron Ekers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's National Telescope Facility.
The lecture was titled, "The Big Bang, Black Holes, Pulsars and Extraterrestrial Life", held at the beginning of the second International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Sasana Budaya Ganesha Hall in Bandung on Aug. 25.
Kusmayanto said Indonesian astronomers had yet to achieve success but not because they were incapable, but due to a number of reasons beyond science which still prevailed among Muslim communities in the country.
"I don't blame them because when interpretations are given from different points of view, other options are available. That's why the Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Muslim organizations have at times not come to a similar understanding," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
Kusmayanto said he was convinced the calculations made by local astronomers were correct in determining the start of the rituals.
"However, that remains unconvincing because they (the Nahdlatul Ulama) say the hilal (crescent moon), marking the start of Ramadan, must be seen by the naked eye," Kusmayanto said.
During the occasion, Kusmayanto also voiced his support for the advancement of astronomy in Indonesia due to its importance in opening up people's horizons.
He reminded the West Java provincial administration to preserve Indonesia's astronomical asset, the Bosscha Observatory in Lembang, the only facility of its kind which could observe the southern skies. Its existence is now threatened, due to rapid growth in construction activities and subsequent light pollution in the area. (dar)
