REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Indonesian Islamic organization Muhammadiyah has determined the start of the fasting month or 1 Ramadan 1438 H on May 17. The decision referred to the result of astronomical or reckoning calculations led by the Tarjih Assembly and Tajdid PP Muhammadiyah.
Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir said the fasting month determination will be a guide for Muhammdiyah citizens. The determination is important for Muhammdiyah people to welcome the holy month of Ramadhan 1439 Hijriyah and other big days.
The Muhammadiyah also announced that according to the Islamic calendar, the first day of Syawwal 1439 or Idul Fitri Day 2018 will be on Friday, June 15. Then, the first day of Dhul-Hijjah this year will be on August 13 and the day of Arafa on 9 Dhul-Hijjah will be on August 21.
Arafa Day becomes the reference of Muslims to implement the fast of sunna Arafa before Eid al-Adha. Furthermore, Eid al-Adha 10 Dhul-Hijjah will fall on Wednesday, August 22.
Muhammadiyah has known to issue the determination the start of the fasting month and the Idul Fitri celebration early than the government. The organization determined religious days by its own method, which is with the exact calculation of astronomy.
Institutions in Muhammadiyah in charge of astronomical calculations of Islamic religious festivals are the Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid PP Muhammadiyah. The government established the Islamic religious big days after itsbat (confirmation) meeting or stipulation which was followed by a number of mass organizations and agency representatives, including Muhammadiyah.
Itsbat meeting considers the results of calculations of hisab and also uses the method of looking at the moon (ruqyat). Both are combined to be the basis for the determination of Islamic religious big days.
Muhammadiyah general secretary, Abdul Muti often asked public to appreciate the method of determining religious holidays. Both the government and Muhammadiyah, he said, have a strong argument for the determination of religious days, such the start of the fasting month and Idul Fitri celebration.
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