Ramadan 2026: Anticipating the Start of the Fasting Month
As the Islamic calendar draws near to 2026, anticipation builds for the commencement of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The determination of the start date relies heavily on the sighting of the hilal, the crescent moon, a practice steeped in tradition and astronomical observation. This article details the efforts undertaken in Jakarta, Indonesia, to observe the hilal and predict the beginning of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
Hilal Observation in Jakarta – February 17, 2026
The DKI Jakarta Regional Office of the Ministry of Religious Affairs conducted a rukyatul hilal (hilal sighting) on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, to determine the start of Ramadan. The observation took place on the 5th floor of the Regional Office, located on Jalan D.I. Panjaitan No. 10, East Jakarta.
Unfortunately, the hilal was not visible at the observation location. Astronomical data indicated that at sunset, the hilal’s altitude was -0° 54’ 14”. This meant the crescent remained below the horizon and did not meet the visibility criteria established for determining the start of Ramadan.
Astronomical Criteria for Hilal Visibility
For the hilal to be considered visible and meet the government’s imkan rukyat (possibility of sighting) criteria, it must be at least 3° above the horizon with a minimum elongation angle of 6.4°. The ephemeris data recorded the conjunction (ijtima) occurring on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 19:03:15 WIB (Western Indonesian Time), coinciding with 29 Sha’ban 1447 H.
Sunset occurred at 18:15:45 WIB, while the moon set earlier at 18:11:10 WIB, a difference of -3 minutes and 37 seconds. The sun-moon elongation angle was recorded at 1° 02’ 27”, with the hilal’s age at 0 hours and 4 minutes, and a hilal illumination percentage of just 0.01%. These conditions confirm that the hilal was not astronomically observable due to its position below the horizon and its minimal visibility criteria.
The Sidang Isbat and National Determination
Despite the lack of visibility in Jakarta, reports from hilal observation points across Indonesia will be compiled and presented during the Sidang Isbat (determination meeting) convened by the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. This meeting will serve as the official basis for the government’s announcement of the start of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
Collaboration and Transparency in Hilal Observation
The rukyatul hilal involved teams of falakiyah (astronomy experts) and related parties to ensure the observation process adhered to proper procedures. Adib, a representative involved in the process, expressed gratitude to the media, the public, and Islamic organizations for their active participation. He emphasized that this collaborative effort is crucial for objectively and accountably verifying the presence of the hilal.
Adib further highlighted the importance of continued synergy between the government, media, and Islamic organizations to provide accurate and reassuring information to the public regarding the start of Ramadan. Staying informed about these observations is key to understanding when the fasting month will begin.
Stay updated with the latest news and articles on Google News and through WA Channel.
