The Indonesian government announced that 1 Ramadhan 1445 Hijriyah or the start of fasting in the country will be March 12 2024. This was decided through an Isbat Session held by the Ministry of Religion. This determination was based on the decision of the Isbat Session (Determination) for the Beginning of Ramadan 1445 AH which was chaired directly by the Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, together with representatives of religious mass organizations and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Jakarta, Sunday (10/3/2024).
"Based on the position of the new moon in several regions in Indonesia which is already above the horizon and does not meet the new MABIMS criteria, as well as the absence of reports of seeing the new moon, the isbat session unanimously determined that 1 Ramadan 1445 Hijriah falls on Tuesday, March 12 2024 AD," said the Minister of Religion in a press conference after the trial.
This decision is in line with the decision issued by the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU). "PBNU through the PBNU Falakiyah Institute (LF) announces that the start of Ramadhan 1445 H will fall on Tuesday, March 12 2024," as quoted from the official Nahdlatul Ulama account.
The same decision was issued by the highest authority for Islamic religious affairs in Hong Kong which was also followed by a similar authority in Macau, the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong. This institution, as quoted by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, whose office is on the 7th floor of the Ammar Wan Chai Mosque, announced that the Moon Sighting Committee saw no evidence of the sighting of a new moon in Hong Kong as a sign of the arrival of the Holy Month of Ramadan 1445 Hijriah (2024). The reason is because the weather is rainy and cloudy.
Furthermore, according to the decision of the ulama who are members of the Ulama-e-Kiram assembly, Hong Kong will follow the closest Islamic countries. In this way, the Supervisory Board of the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong refers to the decision on the moon sighting in Malaysia by JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia).
"The Supervisory Board has decided to follow the decision made by JAKIM as stated below: First day of Ramadan and first paste on Tuesday, March 12 2024," wrote the announcement signed by Mr. Saeed Uddin as Chairman and Mufti Muhammad Arshad, Chief Imam of Hong Kong.
Muhammadiyah Starts Taraweh Sunday Night
In contrast, Muhammadiyah started holding Tarawih prayers on Sunday (10/3/2024) Monday evening. In this way, fasting for 1 Ramadan 1445 Hijriah begins on Monday, March 11 2024.
"Yes. "Tonight I did Tarawih at the al-Falah Mosque, Benhil," said General Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Central Management (PP) Abdul Mu'ti when confirmed via written message, Sunday (10/3/2024).
Regarding the differences at the start of Ramadan, he hopes that people can respect and tolerate each other. Muhammadiyah itself determines 1 Ramadan using the essential reckoning method.
Summarized from various sources, hisab intrinsic is the Hijri calendar calculation method used by Muhammadiyah to determine the start of Ramadan and the start of other Hijri months. This method is based on the motion of celestial bodies, especially the actual and precise positions of the Sun and Moon as they are. [Source: Cabinet Secretariat/CNN Indonesia]
