National

Govt announces Idul Fitri 1440 H falls on Wednesday, June 5

Sen, 3 Juni 2019 | 21:33 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The government through the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced that 1 Shawwal 1440 Hijriah would fall on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. This announcement was delivered after holding a congregation hearing in Jakarta which was held on Monday (3/6) evening.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin chairing the meeting explained that the position of the new moon below the horizon was seen from all corners of the country, with a height of minus 1 degree 26 minutes up to minus 0 degree 6 minutes.

The falakiyah team of the Ministry of Religious Affairs deployed in some 105 points throughout the country from Aceh to Papua, also reported that none of them managed to see the new moon.

This decision is also in line with the predictions of the hisab data issued by the NU Falakiyah Institution in Jakarta which revealed that Monday the ijtima or conjunction occurred at 17:01:42 WIB. The hilal height is minus 0 degree 14 minutes 57 seconds. Theoretically, the hilal is in a position below this type of horizon is very difficult to see.

Thus, the month of Ramadan was completed to 30 days (istikmal), and Muslims still have to fast one more day, Tuesday (4/6) tomorrow.

Itsbat congregation was attended by representatives of Islamic organizations, heads of Islamic boarding schools, astronomers, delegates from friendly countries, and members of the House of Representatives

The country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) also announced that the beginning of Shawwal 1440 Hijriah falls on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. The Ikhbar is based on the results of the NU rukyat team observations in various regions on Monday (3/6) evening, which failed to see the new moon.

The NU Ikhbar was stated in a letter number 3547 / C.I.34/6/2019 signed by the Rais Aam of NU KH Miftachul Akhyar, Secretary General of NU Advisory Board KH Yahya Cholil Staquf, NU General Chairman of KH Said Aqil Siroj, and NU Secretary General H Helmy Faishal Zaini.

NU also appealed to all Muslims, especially Nahdliyin (NU members), to complete their fasting to 30 days and celebrate Eid al-Fitr on June 5, 2019. "Happy Eid al-Fitr 1 Shawwal 1440 H, with great joy. Sorry both physically and mentally," wrote the letter. (Mahbib/Masdar)