Eid al-Fitr Isbat Session to be Held on March 29, 2025

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs will hold the Isbat Session on March 29, 2025, to determine the start of Syawal 1446 H and the date of Eid al-Fitr 2025.

"We will hold the Isbat Session on March 29, 2025. As always, the meeting is conducted on the 29th of Sha'ban to determine the start of Ramadan," said Director-General of Islamic Community Guidance, Abu Rokhmad, in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted on Antara.

The hisab (astronomical calculations) and rukyat (moon sighting) methods, in line with Islamic teachings and MUI Fatwa No. 2 of 2024, will guide the decision. Astronomical data predicts the conjunction (ijtima') on March 29 at 17:57:58 WIB, with the hilal (new moon) below the horizon, ranging from -3 degrees in Papua to -1 degree in Aceh at sunset.

"These astronomical data will then be verified through the rukyat method," Abu Rokhmad added as quoted on Antara.

The rukyat process serves both a religious function, following the Prophet’s Sunnah, and a scientific role, confirming astronomical data with advanced equipment.

"We will use advanced equipment in this rukyat process, just as we did for the start of Ramadan," he explained as quoted on Antara.

Moon sighting (Rukyatul Hilal) will be conducted at 33 locations nationwide, except in Bali, out of respect for Nyepi.

The Isbat session will begin with a Hilal Position Seminar at 16:30 WIB, attended by foreign ambassadors, astronomy experts, and Islamic organizations, including LAPAN, BMKG, BRIN, and Planetarium Bosscha.

The closed-door session will take place at 18:45 WIB, with the results announced in a press conference by Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas