Indonesia will hold a national meeting on March 19, 2026, to determine the date of Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important holidays in the Islamic calendar. The announcement comes as anticipation builds for the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid, also known as Lebaran.
The sidang isbat, as the meeting is known, will be held at the Auditorium HM Rasjidi, within the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta, beginning at 4:00 PM local time (WIB). According to officials, the process involves a thorough review of astronomical data and consultations with experts.
Participants in the meeting will include astronomers from the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG), the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), planetariums, observatories, and representatives from various Islamic organizations. This collaborative approach aims to ensure a unified and accurate determination of the start of Syawal, the tenth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
While the government is expected to make the final determination, early astronomical calculations from BRIN suggest a potential difference in dates. Some projections indicate that Eid al-Fitr 2026 could fall on March 21, 2026, according to reports from Kompas.com. Saudi Arabia has already announced that it will observe Eid al-Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, as reported by CNBC Indonesia.
The Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU), a prominent Islamic organization, has expressed hope that the Ministry of Religious Affairs will remain consistent with the criteria established by the MABIMS (Methodology of Calculating the Beginning of the Hijri Year, Ramadan, Syawal, and Dzulhijjah) in determining the date, according to NU Online. The outcome of the sidang isbat will be broadcast live, allowing the public to follow the proceedings. Bisnis.com reports that the results will be announced on March 19, 2026.
The determination of Eid al-Fitr is a significant event for Muslims worldwide, marking the end of the month-long rapid of Ramadan and a time for communal prayer, family gatherings, and charitable giving.
