Jakarta, Feb. 17 -- The Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs has declared February 19, 2026, as the first day of Ramadan 1447 Hijri, following an Isbat (confirmation) meeting in Jakarta on Tuesday.

"The results of the Isbat meeting have determined that the 1st of Ramadan 1447 Hijri falls on Thursday," Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar announced during a press conference on Tuesday.

This decision differs from that of the leadership of Muhammadiyah-one of Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations-which set the start of Ramadan for Wednesday, February 18, one day earlier.

The difference stems from the different methods used to calculate the start of the month.

A member of the ministry's moon-sighting team, Cecep Nurwendaya, ...