Idul Fitri 2026: Date Confirmed for March 21st by Indonesian Government

JAKARTA – Indonesia will celebrate Idul Fitri, the end of Ramadan, on Saturday, March 21, 2026, officials announced Thursday evening. The determination follows a meeting of the *Sidang Isbat* (Isbat Meeting) convened by the Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag).

Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar stated the decision was based primarily on the results of the *rukyatul hilal* – the sighting of the new crescent moon – as well as astronomical calculations (*hisab*). “It has been agreed that 1 Syawal 1447 Hijriah falls on Saturday, March 21, 2026,” Umar said during a press conference following the Isbat Meeting, according to a statement from Kemenag.

The Isbat Meeting, held at the HM Rasjidi Auditorium at the Ministry of Religious Affairs in central Jakarta, is a crucial annual event in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. The timing of Idul Fitri is a matter of significant public importance, influencing travel plans, business operations, and religious observances for millions.

Determining the Start of Syawal

The process of determining the start of the month of Syawal, which marks Idul Fitri, involves a combination of traditional and scientific methods. *Hisab*, or astronomical calculations, provides a prediction of the moon’s position. Though, the final determination relies heavily on *rukyatul hilal*, the actual sighting of the new moon by observers stationed across the Indonesian archipelago. This year, Kemenag deployed observers to 117 locations throughout the country, including observatories, beaches, mosques, and high-rise buildings, from Aceh in the west to Papua and Papua Barat in the east.

According to Kemenag, the observations confirmed that the crescent moon was not visible in any of the designated locations, leading to the decision to complete the month of Ramadan at 30 days. This aligns with the criteria established by the MABIMS (Minister of Religious Affairs Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore) agreement, which requires a minimum height of 3 degrees and an elongation of at least 6.4 degrees for the new moon to be visible.

The Isbat Meeting Process

The Isbat Meeting began at 4:30 PM local time (WIB) with a public seminar on the position of the hilal, presenting astronomical data. Following the Maghrib prayer, the main Isbat session was held behind closed doors, where participants discussed the results of the *rukyatul hilal* reports from various regions and compared them with the *hisab* data. Representatives from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Commission VIII of the House of Representatives, and various Islamic organizations were present at the meeting.

Prior to the official announcement, a team from the Ministry of Religious Affairs had indicated that Idul Fitri was likely to fall on March 21, 2026, based on preliminary astronomical calculations. However, the final decision hinged on the actual sighting of the crescent moon.

Mudik Anticipation

The announcement of the Idul Fitri date comes as millions of Indonesians prepare for *mudik* – the annual exodus from major cities to their hometowns to celebrate the holiday with family. According to preliminary data, over 181,617 vehicles had already left Jakarta on March 18 and 19, 2026, signaling a significant increase in travel volume. Authorities are preparing for a massive surge in traffic across land, sea, and air routes in the coming days.

The Ministry of Transportation is coordinating with various agencies to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic during the *mudik* period, including implementing traffic management measures, providing additional public transportation options, and monitoring road conditions.

As the nation prepares for Idul Fitri, the Ministry of Religious Affairs extends greetings of peace and joy to all Muslims in Indonesia and around the world. The upcoming days will be filled with religious observances, family gatherings, and charitable acts, marking a time of spiritual renewal and communal harmony.

The next official update regarding preparations for Idul Fitri is expected from the Ministry of Transportation regarding *mudik* traffic management and safety measures on March 22, 2026.

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