Harmonious Observance of idulfitri 1446 Hijri Foreseen

As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close,Indonesia is preparing for
the feast of breaking the fast,known as
Eid al-fitr or Idulfitri 1446 Hijri. The anticipated date
for this significant Islamic holiday is nearing, with expectations of a
unified celebration across the nation. [1]

Minister of Religion Predicts Coinciding Celebrations

Indonesia’s Minister of Religion, Nasarudin Umar, projects that this
year’s Idulfitri 1446 Hijri will be observed concurrently by both
the government and various Islamic organizations. This alignment stems
from forecasts indicating that the new moon will likely remain unseen on
March 30, 2025, possibly leading to a unified Eid 2025
celebration on march 31, 2025, in accordance with the determination made
by Muhammadiyah.

“Our Eid is predicted on March 31, 2025,”

Nasaruddin Umar, minister of Religion

if the Minister’s prediction holds true, this year’s eid al-fitr
has a high probability of coinciding with the date previously established
by the Islamic association PP Muhammadiyah.

PP Muhammadiyah’s earlier Declaration

Prior to this, PP Muhammadiyah had already designated Monday, March 31,
2025, as the date for Eid al-Fitri 2025. This decision was based
on comprehensive astronomical calculations concerning the position of the
crescent moon (Hilal), as outlined in PP Muhammadiyah’s guidelines for
determining the months of Ramadan, shawwal, and Zulhijah in the Hijri
calendar.

Astronomical Insights from BRIN

Echoing this sentiment, Thomas Djamaludin, a Professor of Astronomy and
astrophysics at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), also
anticipates that 1 Shawwal 1446 Hijri will fall on march 31, 2025.
Djamaludin explained that on March 29, the moon’s position in indonesia
will still be below the horizon at Maghrib (sunset).

This astronomical positioning does not meet the criteria stipulated in the
Mabims agreement (Minister of Religion Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia,
Malaysia, Singapore), wich is used by the government and Islamic
organizations. the condition also does not meet the criteria of the
wujudul hilal used by Muhammadiyah. The Mabims agreement mandates a
minimum lunar altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of 6.4 degrees for
the new Hijri month to be declared.

“At the time of March 29, the position of the moon in Indonesia was
under the horizon. That is, it does not meet the criteria of the mabims
used by the government and Islamic mass organizations and does not meet
the criteria for the hilal used by Muhammadiyah,”

Thomas Djamaludin, Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Consequently, Djamaludin concludes that
The decision is Eid al -Fitr 1446: Uniform March 31, 2025.

However, he advises the public to await the official confirmation during
the Isbat session on March 29th.

BMKG’s Lunar Observation Data

The Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) has provided
detailed data regarding the new moon’s altitude in Indonesia on March 29,
ranging from -3.29 degrees in Merauke, Papua, to -1.07 degrees in sabang,
Aceh. furthermore, on March 30, 2025, at sunset, the moon’s altitude is
projected to range from 7.96 degrees in Merauke to 11.48 degrees in
Sabang.

BMKG also reported geocentric elongations in Indonesia at sunset on March
29, varying from 1.06 degrees in Kebumen, Central java, to 1.61 degrees
in Oksibil, papua. On March 30, the elongation is expected to range
between 13.02 degrees in Merauke and 14.83 degrees in Sabang. Elongation
refers to the angular distance between the moon’s disk and the centre of
the sun’s disk, as observed from Earth.

Meaning of Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, meaning the feast of breaking the fast, marks
the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community
for Muslims worldwide. [1] it is a time for increased worship, charity, and good deeds. [1] The holiday began with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Madinah in 624 CE,
establishing a day for communal prayer and celebration. [2] While officially a one-day holiday, some communities extend the
festivities for up to three days. [3]