The Indonesian government, through the Kementerian Agama Republik Indonesia, has officially declared that 1 Ramadan 1447 AH will fall on February 19, after the isbat (confirmation) session concluded that the crescent moon did not satisfy the agreed visibility standards, Jakarta Globe reports.

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated that astronomical calculations (hisab), together with reports from physical moon observations (rukyat) conducted at 96 monitoring points nationwide, confirmed that no sighting of the crescent had been recorded.

“Based on the astronomical reckoning and the absence of verified crescent sightings, it has been agreed that 1 Ramadan 1447 AH falls on February 19,” Nasaruddin announced at a press briefing following the session in Jakarta.

Cecep Nurwendaya, a member of the ministry’s moon-sighting team, explained that at sunset the crescent was positioned below the horizon across all parts of Indonesia. In Jayapura, its altitude was calculated at minus 2.41 degrees, while in Tuapejat in the Mentawai Islands, it stood at minus 0.93 degrees.

Nationally, the crescent’s position ranged from minus 2 degrees 24 minutes 42 seconds to 0 degrees 58 minutes 47 seconds. In addition to failing to meet the criteria for possible visibility (imkan rukyat), it was also deemed not to have reached the stage of wujudul hilal, meaning the moon had not yet appeared above the horizon.

Indonesia applies the regional visibility parameters agreed under MABIMS, comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, which require a minimum crescent altitude of 3 degrees and an elongation of at least 6.4 degrees. Calculations showed the elongation remained below this threshold.

As a result, the month of Sha’ban will be completed at 30 days, making February 18 the final day before Ramadan. Tarawih prayers will begin on February 18 evening, with the first day of fasting observed on February 19 morning.

Indonesia’s decision aligns with announcements made by Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, all of which have likewise set 1 Ramadan on February 19, after official observations confirmed the crescent was not visible.