TEMPO.CO, Bandung - National Aeronautics and Space Institute (LAPAN) head Thomas Djamaluddin said the moon height indicates that the 1438 Hijri Eid al-Fitr may be celebrated on Sunday, June 25, 2017.
“The moon’s crescent visibility has just reached above three degrees, and it’s one of the criteria,” Thomas said on Thursday, June 22.
The criteria set by the government and most of the Islamic mass organizations state that the moon’s position indicates that it is the beginning of Shawwal or Eid al-Fitr.
“1st Shawwal will likely fall on June 25. But the official decision will have to wait until the isbat (confirmation) meeting is held on the evening of June 24,” he said.
Despite the majority of Indonesian Muslims started their Ramadan fasting on May 27, there are several mass organizations, such as the Persatuan Islam (Persis) Muslim group) that use other criteria in deciding the end of Ramadan.
Although the Persis Central Executive Board issued a circular letter stating that the organization will celebrate Eid al-Fitr on June 26, Persis would follow the government’s decision.
ANWAR SISWADI
