REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Religious Affairs of Indonesia (Menag), Prof Nasaruddin Umar responded to possible discrepancies in the early determination of Ramadan fasting this year. In the event of a difference, he invites the community to maintain unity.

Nasaruddin stressed that Indonesia has experienced the differences in the early determination of Ramadan in previous years without causing social conflicts.

“Indonesia remains in harmony and has experienced the difference in determining one Ramadan in the previous year. We are experienced in being united in the midst of differences,” he said in his remarks in Jakarta, Tuesday(17/2/2026)

Nasaruddin hopes the public doesn't get caught up in an unproductive debate. “I hope there is no debate in society. Let us live together in the midst of differences,” he said.

He also alluded to the development of the idea of a Single Global Hijri Calendar (KHGT) which is beginning to be pushed in a number of countries and international forums such as the OIC, which uses a global visibility approach. But for now, Indonesia is sticking to the criteria agreed with MABIMS as the basis for official government determination.

In setting the beginning of Ramadan itself, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will hold an Isbat Session on Tuesday (17/2/2026) this afternoon. He explained that historically the isbat session has always been the reference of Indonesians in determining the beginning of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

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