Govt to Hold Isbat Meeting to Set First Day of Fasting
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Kamis, 1 Januari 1970 07:00 WIB
Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin. TEMPO/Dhemas Reviyanto.
TEMPO.CO, Bandung-Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said the ministry will organize isbat (confirmation) meeting to set the first day of fasting in Ramadan 1437 H. “We will hold Isbat meeting on Sunday, June 5,” Lukman said at Merdeka Building in Bandung, June 1, 2016.
A number of religious figures and astronomy experts will be invited to attend the meeting. Before the session take place, the hilal (new moon) sighting will be done in several regions.
“The observation is done to see the position of the hilal at the time,” said Lukman, adding that if hilal will not be visible on June 5, then the 1st of Ramadan will be set on June 7, 2016.
Lukman is reluctant to comment whether there will be a difference in deciding the 1st day of Ramadan from Islamic organizations. “We should wait until the isbat meeting took place on June 5,” he said.