TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Institute of Aeronautics and Space (LAPAN) estimated that this year’s holy month of Ramadan 1442 Hijri will fall on April 13, 2021. The institute head Thomas Djamaluddin made the statement via a written statement received by Antara on Tuesday, March 31.

“Inshallah, [all organizations] will set the same date, at least the two largest Islamic organizations NU and Muhammadiyah,” said Thomas.

Muhammadiyah has announced that the Muslim's fasting month will fall on April 13, 2021, based on its study using an astronomical calculation method. The results show that the new moon (hilal) in Yogyakarta in the evening of April 12 will be above the horizon at 3 degrees.

In determining the beginning of Ramadan, Muhammadiyah uses the concept of wujudul hilal [crescent presence] with criteria of moon’s height at zero degrees, while Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) criteria of moon’s height at 2 degrees above the horizon.

Thus, the decisions will be different if the height of the moon is between 0 and 2 degrees. However, according to LAPAN, this year’s moon position on Syaban 29 or April 12 will be above 2 degrees.

The Religious Affairs Ministry, meanwhile, has not yet marked the first date of Ramadan. The government usually sets the beginning of the month based on the results of the astronomical calculation study and rukyatul hilal or observations of the first crescent moon at sunset. The ministry planned to hold an isbat or confirmation meeting on April 12, 2021.

Read: Government Bans Mudik Tradition to Control Covid-19

ANTARA