VIVAnews - Indonesia, the world's largest muslim-majority nation, will have a two-day joyous celebration called Eid al-Fitr. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) says the confirmation of 1 Syawal is always based on the crescent monitoring meeting (itsbat) conducted by the Religious Affairs Department and Islamic institutions.
“The meeting will be set up on September 19 based on 29 Ramadhan. We’ll be waiting for the result,” one of the Heads of MUI, Ma’ruf Amin said at a press conference at the MUI office on Jalan Proklamasi, Jakarta on Tuesday, September 15.
However, he added, 1 Syawal would be most likely on Sunday, September 20, 2009. “Because the moon on Saturday night has reached 3 to 5 degrees,” he said,
Possibly, the nation will have Eid el-Fitr celebrated on the same day. “Because it’s above 2 degrees, probably everyone would set Sunday as the big day,” Amin said.
He also explained the difference emerges because of the position of the moon. ”It’s because the moon is always under 2 degrees,” he said.
Meanwhile, MUI Chairperson Umar Shihab said both hisab (predicting the position of the moon mathematically) and rukyat (predicting the position of the moon using visual observations) experts have their own argument in confirming 1 Syawal. “It’s about belief. It can’t be forced,” he said.
However, Shihab continued, the difference should not be emphasized. “Because differences could shatter unity. Differences are supposed to be a blessing, “he said.
Earlier, Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni said 1 Syawal 1430 H would be on Sunday, September 20.
According to the Minister, the prediction was based on the calculation estimating that on September 19, the moon would be above the horizon.
If the government declares September 20 as 1 Syawal, it would be similar to the prediction of Muhammadiyah Chairperson.
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Translated by: Nataya Ermanti
